George Onah
3 August 2004
Calabar — THE GSM killer numbers may have got the first victims in Calabar, Cross River State after two members of a family collapsed last week after receiving a call. They were however revived only by their neighbours. Trouble started for the Ibor Ubi family of No. 99 Old Odukpani road, Calabar, when Samuel, 16, and his sister, Blessing, 28, got a call through Blessing's handset.
According to Samuel, who is an SS2 student in Calabar, "my sister's phone rang and because she was busy in one part of our room I had to carry the phone. When I looked at the screen, I saw a number and not a name, I hesitated before answering and when I put the phone to my ears, there was a background noise. I then said hello, after which a man coughed in the phone and I did not know anything again."
He told Vanguard that he was surprised when he woke up to see so many people in "our room", and Blessing a graduate of University of Calabar was also being revived, explaining that he was told that when he passed out, his sister rushed and picked the phone only to collapse too after saying hello. The story was corroborated by their father, Mr. Ibor Ubi, an Elder of the Apostolic Church and a staff of the NYSC in Calabar, who said he gave God the glory for the survival of his two children, stating that neighbours rushed to the family's aid by offering "serious prayers to God for my children."
When Vanguard requested for the number which had been stored in Blessing's phone, which she has vowed never to use again or anything GSM, she alleged that the number was 08035462930. Vanguard dialed the number to ascertain the veracity of the claim and the following conversation ensued.
Vanguard: Hello, who am I speaking with?
Mystery number: A female voice responded and said "how can you call my number and ask me 'who am I speaking with?'"
Vanguard: Well this number was said to have been used to call two persons who collapsed.
The mystery number switched off. A second try through the same number from Calabar was not responded to. But when Vanguard called through another commercial phone centre, another conversation ensued.
Vanguard: I called you earlier and asked whether it was true that this number of yours makes people collapse on receiving calls.
Mystery number: "You are on your own" and she switched off. A second call through the same number from the pay-phone centre was not picked.
Again Vanguard went to a third pay-phone centre and called the number, after allowing it to ring for a while she picked the phone and the trading of words went thus:
Vanguard: I expect you to put up a defence on whether or not your number sends people to sleep, but you don't seem to be interested. Now, madam, is it true that people collapse after receiving a call from your line?
Mystery number: I cover you with the blood of Jesus, I say I cover you with the blood of Jesus.
Vanguard: Thank you for that prayer, but when will I collapse.
She then switched off.
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