In a tragic incident in the Afashio Community of Uzairue, Etsako West Local Government Area, Edo State, five individuals have died from suspected food poisoning, prompting the arrest of a 16-year-old girl identified as Aisha Suleiman.
The incident reportedly occurred last week, causing widespread panic as the community mourned the loss of four boys and a girl, all young residents with promising futures. The police received a report on October 26, indicating that the bodies were discovered by a parent, Elogie Ezekiel, who checked on his son, Emmanuel Elogie.
Upon entering the apartment, Ezekiel found the lifeless body of his son’s friend, Nurudeen, in the corridor, and later discovered Emmanuel and his girlfriend, Ada Samuel, aged 16, unresponsive on the bed. Two other friends, Samuel and Jeffrey Ayegwalo, who were siblings, were found deceased in the sitting room.
On October 29, local authorities were alerted that Aisha Suleiman was in danger of being attacked by an angry mob, allegedly seeking to hold her accountable for the deaths. Police intervened, rescuing her and transferring the case to the state Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
The Commissioner of Police, Umoru Peter Ozigi, has emphasized the importance of thoroughly investigating the cause of these deaths and warned against taking the law into one’s own hands, assuring the community that justice will be pursued.
