One arrested over death of five in Edo

The Edo State Police Command on Thursday confirmed the death of five persons and the arrest of one over suspected food poisoning at Afashio Community, Uzairue,  Etsako West Local Government Area.

Our correspondent learnt that the incident happened last week and threw the community into panic as residents were jolted by the death of promising youngsters, which included four boys and a girl.

The police spokesperson, Moses Yamu, in a statement on Thursday, said Aisha Suleiman, who is suspected to have caused the death of the lone victim, has been arrested.

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.”

Continuing, he stated that they mobilised to the scene, rescued the suspect to the station and the case was transferred the 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 concluded.

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