Five killed by alleged food poisoning in Edo

At least five people have died from suspected food poisoning in Afashio Community, Uzairue, Etsako Local Government Area, Edo State.

The incident, which reportedly occurred last week, left the community in shock as it claimed the lives of five young individuals, including four boys and one girl.

Sources say the victims were allegedly poisoned by a former girlfriend of one of the boys, who is accused of preparing a pepper soup dish and bringing it to her ex-boyfriend.

Confirming the incident on Thursday in Benin, the Edo State Police Command announced the death of five people and the arrest of a suspect in connection with the case.

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According to a statement by Command spokesperson Moses Yamu, Aisha Suleiman, the suspect believed to be responsible for the poisonings, has been taken into custody.

The statement read, “The command received a report on 26/10/2024 at about 0730hrs, from one Elogie Ezekiel of Afashio Community, that at about 0630hrs of same date, he went to check his son named Emmanuel Elogie (19 years) at his apartment.

“That upon gaining entrance into the apartment, he met the lifeless body of his son’s friend named Nurudeen surname not known at the corridor, he went further and met the lifeless bodies of his son with his girlfriend Ada Samuel (16 years) on the bed in the bedroom.

“Another two of the son’s friends named Samuel Ayegwalo and Jeffrey Ayegwalo who turned out to be siblings were found in the sitting room. They were evacuated to the hospital where the doctor confirmed them dead.

“On 29/10/2024 at about 1710hrs, operatives of Jattu Division received information that a girl later identified as Aisha Suleiman (16 years) alleged to have caused the death of Emmanuel Elogie and four others with food poison was about to be lynched by some young men from the community.

“They mobilised to the scene, rescued the suspect to the station and the case was transferred next day to the state Criminal Investigation Department for discrete investigation.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Umoru Peter Ozigi, has directed that no stone should be left unturned to ensure that the cause of death of these young people is established.

He further warned against jungle justice, while assuring the general public that justice would be served in the case.

 

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE