A heartbreaking ritual turned fatal on April 2, 2025, in Iyamu village, located in the Illushi community of Esan South-East LGA, Edo State, when 14-year-old Okonkwo Obinna Emmanuel lost his life during a bulletproof charm test allegedly conducted by a native doctor and his associate. The young boy, who was reportedly eager to become invulnerable, suffered a deadly head injury during the bizarre procedure.
Sources familiar with the case say the ritual was led by a self-proclaimed native doctor, Amechi Edozunor, alongside one Kelvin Ugru. The pair allegedly performed the charm to make the teenager “resistant to bottle attacks,” a common street-level claim of invincibility. During the process, the boy’s head was struck with a glass bottle in an attempt to demonstrate the charm’s effectiveness—but the impact was fatal.
Following the injury, the teenager was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was placed on emergency treatment. Despite efforts by medical personnel, he succumbed to the trauma and was pronounced dead on April 5, 2025, three days after the ritual. His body has since been deposited in the hospital mortuary pending an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
The tragic event was formally reported to the police by the boy’s elder brother, Okonkwo Onyenbuchi, triggering an immediate investigation. Law enforcement officers swiftly arrested the two suspects—Edozunor and Ugru—who are currently in custody. Authorities have confirmed that both men are undergoing interrogation at the police station while awaiting charges.
Locals have expressed outrage and shock over the death, with many calling for urgent public enlightenment to counter the rising influence of fetish practices and misguided beliefs in supernatural protection, especially among youth in rural areas. Community leaders have also demanded justice for the victim, saying the incident underscores the dangers of unchecked traditional rituals.
Attempts to reach the Edo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Moses Yamu, were unsuccessful at press time. Yamu had initially promised to return a call for comment but did not follow up before this report was filed. Meanwhile, the police say investigations are ongoing and further updates will be released to the public.
This case adds to the growing number of deaths linked to ritual testing and superstition in Nigeria, reigniting concerns about rural education, exploitation by native doctors, and the lack of legal safeguards for minors exposed to such practices.
