A 50-year-old man, Modu Isa, of Hausari Ward in Bama, Borno State, has survived a bizarre suicide attempt after stabbing himself three times in the stomach before cutting off his genitals over a failed marriage.
The incident, which left the community in shock, was disclosed on Saturday by a counter-insurgency expert and security analyst, Zagazola Makama, via his X handle.
According to residents, Isa’s drastic action followed his estranged wife, Bayanxe Modu’s refusal to return to him.
“He said if Bayanxe cannot have him, then his thing too must go,” one neighbour recounted.
According to the neighbour, Isa was rushed to the General Hospital in Bama, where doctors carried out an emergency procedure to reattach his severed organ in what many locals nicknamed ‘Operation Return Gbola’.
But the unusual incident has sparked mixed reactions in the community.
While some sympathised with Isa’s heartbreak, others couldn’t hide their bewilderment.
“Instead of cutting onions for stew, he was cutting his thing,” a resident quipped.
According to Makama, an elderly man, who refused to be named, also remarked, “This is not a suicide attempt; this is a Borno comedy show. Only here can a man lose his manhood on Friday and get it back on Sunday.”
Meanwhile, sources said the case has been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department in Maiduguri.
Makama stated that the community has however been divided over the matter as while some residents sympathise with Isa’s heartbreak, others are baffled.
“Instead of cutting onions for stew, he was cutting gbola,” one resident quipped, shaking his head.
When contacted, the Borno State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, promised to get back to our correspondent on the incident. But as of press time, he had yet to do so.
