The Edo State Police Command stated on Thursday that five people died and one was arrested as a result of suspected food poisoning in the Afashio Community, Uzairue, Etsako West Local Government Area.
Our correspondent learned that the tragedy occurred last week and caused fear among villagers who were shocked by the deaths of promising young people, including four boys and a girl.
In a statement issued on Thursday, police spokesperson, Moses Yamu said Aisha Suleiman, who is suspected of causing the lone victims’ death, had been apprehended.
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 the 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.”
He went on to say that they mobilised to the area, retrieved the suspect, and transferred the case to the state Criminal Investigation Department the next day for discreet 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 concluded.
He also warned against jungle justice, but assured the public that justice would be delivered in the matter.
