Rethinking ‘Odeshi’ and Use of ‘Bulletproof Charm’ in Nigeria, by Leo Igwe

The recent arrest of a ‘native doctor’ for killing a client while testing a bulletproof charm should serve as some food for thought for Nigerians. This incident should make believers, users and dispensers of so-called, odeshi or anti-bullet and machete cut charm rethink and reexamine their magical thoughts. But will they do so? According to the report, the police arrested this odeshi specialist for killing a young man while demonstrating the efficacy of the charm in Edo state. There have been similar incidents in the past. It is either the native doctor or the client is killed or is seriously wounded while testing the odeshi charm.

Unfortunately, the belief in the potency of bulletproof charm is pervasive among educated and uneducated Nigerians. Many native doctors and traditional healers openly and publicly advertise; they claim to have the ability and know-how to prepare and produce such charms. These charlatans charge exorbitant fees; they sometimes compel their clients to indulge in risky ventures including ritual murder and attacks in the quest for required materials for the charms. Many police and military officers believe in odeshi, and use these bulletproof charms as a part of their ‘arms’, of traditional fortification. Many people believe daredevil-arm robbers use these charms to deflate gunshots or to escape unhurt when they are shot at.

But how many times would these tragic incidents occur, a native doctor or a client testing odeshi is killed or wounded before Nigerians would learn a lesson? How many odeshi clients would be murdered before Nigerians realize that odeshi is a figment of the mind, a form of superstition, a dangerous one, without any basis in reason, or reality?

Look, there is no evidence for the potency of odeshi as Nigerians popularly believe. None. There has not been any instance where the efficacy of a bulletproof charm has been proven or demonstrated. None. The potency claim for Odeshi is based on ignorance, hearsay, unverified allusions, and cock and bull stories. Nigerians should wake up from their superstitious slumber and do away with this absurd belief that is costing lives. They should know that if the so-called odeshi were potent and effective as believed, the Nigerian government would procure it to protect its police and military officers. The government would not be wasting resources buying or importing bulletproof vests and cars for state and security officers. The state would not waste money buying and maintaining armored tanks and other vehicles

At a seminar for navy officers in Osun state last year, I clarified that the Odeshi claim was baseless, and would make them take risks that could end their lives and career. Some of the officers vehemently disagreed. But the commandant reiterated the same point. He warned officers not to go towards someone firing bullets under the pretext that they had odeshi. “You would go down immediately”, he stated with a commanding tone. I hope police/military officers and other Nigerians abide by this wise counsel and abandon the superstitious belief in odeshi and bulletproof charm. It is a killer-belief. The sad thing about odeshi is that by the time one realizes that it does not work, it is usually too late. As in this case, it is either one is dead or is seriously injured or one has killed or has seriously injured someone.

Leo Igwe directs the Advocacy for Alleged Witches