The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the tragic deaths of five young individuals following a suspected food poisoning incident in Afashio Community, Uzairue, Etsako West Local Government Area. Police reports reveal that four boys and a girl lost their lives, sparking panic within the community.
According to Moses Yamu, spokesperson for the Edo Police, 16-year-old Aisha Suleiman has been arrested in connection with the deaths. Yamu noted that the police received a distress report from a community member, Elogie Ezekiel, who discovered the lifeless bodies of his son, Emmanuel Elogie (19), and four others—his son’s friend, Nurudeen, Emmanuel’s girlfriend, Ada Samuel (16), and siblings Samuel and Jeffrey Ayegwalo—in different parts of the residence.
Yamu detailed that Ezekiel found Nurudeen’s body in the corridor, while Emmanuel and Ada were discovered in the bedroom, and the Ayegwalo siblings were located in the sitting room. All five victims were subsequently confirmed dead at a nearby hospital.
On October 29, local residents attempted to carry out mob justice on Suleiman, who was suspected of administering food poison. The police arrived promptly, rescued her, and transferred the case to the state Criminal Investigation Department for further examination.
Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Umoru Peter Ozigi, has emphasized that a thorough investigation will be conducted to uncover the exact cause of these tragic deaths. He also cautioned the public against taking the law into their own hands, assuring them that justice will be pursued diligently.
