# Nigerian Man Dies When Charm Against Gunshots Fails to Work **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 24, 2017, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nigerian-man-dies-when-charm-against-gunshots-fails-to-work/799682 "2017-10-24T05:07:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nigerian-man-dies-when-charm-against-gunshots-fails-to-work/799682/1 "2017-10-24T05:07:23Z")
I bet this poor guy won’t even get a refund. I would advice against doing this at home if your faith is weak. Say hello to Darwin in heaven, sir. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nigerian-man-dies-when-charm-against-gunshots-fails-to-work/799682/2 "2017-10-24T05:54:47Z")
Linky? ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nigerian-man-dies-when-charm-against-gunshots-fails-to-work/799682/3 "2017-10-24T06:03:04Z")
People, don’t be so specific in your charms. He probably died of blood loss, for which he obviously had no charm. Go for the charm against death - you pay a bit extra but at the end of the day you’ll know where the moneys gone. ---
**Author:** ![JoseB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/joseb/32/1530_2.png) [@JoseB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseB)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nigerian-man-dies-when-charm-against-gunshots-fails-to-work/799682/4 "2017-10-24T06:24:49Z")
This kind of thing has happened many times (googling, I easily found a dozen incidents throughout the past few years). I think that the OP might be referring to this particular incident: > **[Vigilante Shoots Self Dead While Testing New Gunshot Charm](https://nigeriana.news/vigilante-shoots-self-dead-testing-new-gunshot-charm.html)** > > A show of bravery and gallantry turned awful as a member of Isan Gona Vigilante Group, Ahmadu Maikare of Gidan Jimina village of Malumfashi LGA shot himself dead while testing a new charm meant to protect him from gunshots. It was gathered that... ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nigerian-man-dies-when-charm-against-gunshots-fails-to-work/799682/5 "2017-10-24T07:41:08Z")
> **[Vigilante shoots self dead while testing a new charm in Katsina state](https://www.legit.ng/1131579-vigilante-shoots-dead-testing-a-charm.html)** > > NAIJ.com gathered that members of the vigilante group had converged at the residence of their leader, Sumaila Rabiu, to take part in a traditional ceremony. The incident was said to have occurred at Dubul village in Matazu ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nigerian-man-dies-when-charm-against-gunshots-fails-to-work/799682/6 "2017-10-24T07:42:09Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Linky? Sorry about that. I had it but forgot to insert it…then ninjaed…my web charms aren’t working. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nigerian-man-dies-when-charm-against-gunshots-fails-to-work/799682/7 "2017-10-24T07:43:23Z")
> [@JoseB](#): > > This kind of thing has happened many times (googling, I easily found a dozen incidents throughout the past few years). I think that the OP might be referring to this particular incident: > > [https://nigeriana.news/vigilante-shoots-self-dead-testing-new-gunshot-charm.html](https://nigeriana.news/vigilante-shoots-self-dead-testing-new-gunshot-charm.html) That’s the one. I feel bad for his family because his death was pointless and utterly avoidable. ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nigerian-man-dies-when-charm-against-gunshots-fails-to-work/799682/8 "2017-10-24T07:48:28Z")
Those charms only work if you shoot through a book first. ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nigerian-man-dies-when-charm-against-gunshots-fails-to-work/799682/9 "2017-10-24T08:27:12Z")
What’s Nigerian for ‘hold my beer’? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nigerian-man-dies-when-charm-against-gunshots-fails-to-work/799682/10 "2017-10-24T12:59:59Z")
He should have taken the hint when “Expecto Patronum” conjured up a dodo bird. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nigerian-man-dies-when-charm-against-gunshots-fails-to-work/799682/11 "2017-10-24T13:08:48Z")
It appears he only paid for level IIIa charms. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nigerian-man-dies-when-charm-against-gunshots-fails-to-work/799682/12 "2017-10-24T13:25:27Z")
> [@](#): > > Children abused, killed as witches in Nigeria > **[Children abused, killed as witches in Nigeria - CNN.com](https://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/08/25/nigeria.child.witches/index.html)** > > Just after midnight, the pastor seized a woman's forehead with his large hand and she fell screaming and writhing on the ground. "Fire! Fire! Fire!" shouted the worshippers, raising their hands in the air. It seems to me that anyone who accuses a child of witchcraft should be obliged to test their theory by making the child cast a spell to inoculate them against bullets. Then it will be easy to prove the child is a witch by testing the magic in the manner of the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nigerian-man-dies-when-charm-against-gunshots-fails-to-work/799682/13 "2017-10-24T13:42:07Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > [Children abused, killed as witches in Nigeria - CNN.com](http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/08/25/nigeria.child.witches/index.html) > > It seems to me that anyone who accuses a child of witchcraft should be obliged to test their theory by making the child cast a spell to inoculate them against bullets. Then it will be easy to prove the child is a witch by testing the magic in the manner of the OP. Nonsense - we weighed the child, and found she was made of wood. Therefore - [a witch](http://www.montypython.net/scripts/HG-witchscene.php). Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blue_blistering_barnacle/32/3386_2.png) [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Blistering_Barnacle)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nigerian-man-dies-when-charm-against-gunshots-fails-to-work/799682/14 "2017-10-24T13:53:38Z")
A charm against bullets that was 50% effective (stopped or caused to miss about half of bullets) would be great. 30% would still be pretty good. I’d guess I’d still be willing to pay for 5-10% efficacy. Then you’d still be chuckling over my body, most days. I guess I’m just saying (that as is true in medicine), efficacy of less than 100% does not mean lack of efficacy. How effective will be your next flu shot? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nigerian-man-dies-when-charm-against-gunshots-fails-to-work/799682/15 "2017-10-24T14:45:00Z")
> [@JoseB](#): > > This kind of thing has happened many times Yeah, this seems to be somewhat common. When we were down in South Africa about, shit, 17 years ago (has it really been that long?) doing a story on the anti-carjacking squad in Johannesburg, we were told about _muti_s (traditional medicines/charms) that carjackers were found with that they thought would protect them from bullets. The story was relayed to us both by the police as well as some _sangomas_ (I guess what we might call a “witch doctor,” but more properly translated as a “traditional healer” or something like that.) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nigerian-man-dies-when-charm-against-gunshots-fails-to-work/799682/16 "2017-10-24T14:59:30Z")
Reminds me of the American Indian Ghost Shirt and Ghost Dance. Their magical bullet proof properties didn’t quite match the owners expectations. > **[The American Indian Craft Book](https://books.google.com/books?id=FRr0XCFnMtgC&pg=PA318&lpg=PA318&dq=indian%2Bbullets%2Bdance&source=bl&ots=Bna1GYEvFQ&sig=fOFMz2ulzgCn07PNnBx0R-FMgmY&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjbj7GXwonXAhUFw2MKHS9qBzkQ6AEIigEwFQ#v=onepage&q=indian%20bullets%20dance&f=false)** > > Descriptions of Indian food preparation, hunting and fishing methods, and step-by-step instructions for making moccasins, clothing, masks, dolls, shields, and jewelry ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nigerian-man-dies-when-charm-against-gunshots-fails-to-work/799682/17 "2017-10-24T15:03:22Z")
This reminds me of [the shaman who thought that he had power over crocodiles but it turned out that he didn’t](http://www.asiaone.com/asia/crocodile-shaman-killed-croc-while-looking-man-who-was-attacked-earlier). (Or the [Ghost Shirts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_shirt) that were supposed to be bulletproof but weren’t.) ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nigerian-man-dies-when-charm-against-gunshots-fails-to-work/799682/18 "2017-10-24T15:40:33Z")
My first trip to NOLA included a visit to a voodoo shop. I brought my kids home a few different charms. My son carried his chicken foot until it started to stink (I explained to him it absorbed negativity and the stink meant it worked). My daughter loved her anti-envy soap. Yes, I paid the extra $10 to get the items blessed by a voodoo priestess. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nigerian-man-dies-when-charm-against-gunshots-fails-to-work/799682/19 "2017-10-24T15:52:05Z")
Such a belief system also didn’t work out very well for [the Boxers](https://www.britannica.com/event/Boxer-Rebellion) in 1900 (or if you prefer, the Righteous and Harmonious Fists). ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nigerian-man-dies-when-charm-against-gunshots-fails-to-work/799682/20 "2017-10-24T16:16:14Z")
Wasn’t there a story a decade or two back about a guy who was killed because he thought he could use his amazing brain power to stop a train? I tried googling, but came up empty and I’m at work so I can’t really spend all after noon on it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nigerian-man-dies-when-charm-against-gunshots-fails-to-work/799682.md?page=2)