Light Side
A Darwin Award Candidate
By Godwin Egbara, Independent 29/12/09
Jan 3, 2010 - 10:32:46 AM

Tragedy struck Gwallaga area in Bauchi metropolis as a 27-year-old man, Idris Adamu, killed himself in a bid to test the efficacy of his charms against bullet wound which he recently bought.

Daily Independent gathered that Idris Adamu, a married man, decided to test the charm by shooting himself, resulting to serious injuries that consequently led to his death.

When our correspondent visited the family compound at Gwallaga, adjacent Saleh Manga Primary School, the parents were still mourning. However, the younger brother, Idris, who declined to mention his name, said it was not true that his late brother acquired new charms.

According to him, what actually happened was that the brother bought a locally-made gun and was advised to regularly service it, adding that it was in the process of servicing the gun that there was an accidental discharge that took his life.

According to him, his brother was servicing the gun preparatory to a wedding for the following day. This, our source said, was what led to the death of Idris Adamu and not the acquisition of new charms being circulated in the town.

The acquisition of his anti-bullet proof charm might not be unconnected with the rumour that is circulating in Bauchi that another round of religious crisis is in the making. For two weeks now, residents of Bauchi have been receiving text messages of impending crisis in the state; with the rumour mill emphasising that certain individuals are planning to make the state ungovernable during this Christmas period.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Barau, claimed ignorance of the incident, telling our correspondent that he was attending a workshop but promised to get in touch in the office to give feedback.

A source however said that the divisional police officer in charge is in possession of the gun, which Idris gunned himself down.

However, Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Sanusi Mohammed has debunked such rumours. He told Daily Independent in a telephone interview that residents of Bauchi should disregard such rumours because they lacked substance.

Mohammed assured that the state government has taken steps to ensure nothing of such happens during the festivities.

According to him, security agencies had been directed to deal with anybody caught spreading rumours or planning to foment trouble in the state.

He warned that government would not allow miscreants and political opponents foment trouble for their selfish aim, adding that government is in control of the situation in the state and assured residents to go about their normal duties.