Police authorities in Edo State have confirmed the deaths of five individuals and the arrest of one suspect in connection with a food poisoning incident in Afashio-Uzairue, located in the Etsako West Local Government Area.
Edo Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Moses Yamu, reported that the poisoning took place on October 26, sparking widespread panic among residents.
The victims include four boys and one girl.
Yamu said: “Edo State Police 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.
“The police arrested Aisha Suleiman, 16, alleged to have caused the deaths through food poisoning. On 29/10/2024, at about 1710hrs, operatives of Jattu Division received information that a girl, later identified as Aisha Suleiman, was about to be lynched by some young men from the community.
“They (operatives of Jattu Division of Edo Police Command) mobilised to the scene, rescued the suspect, and moved her to the police station. The case was transferred the next day to the state Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation.”
