The Edo State Police Command has apprehended a 16-year-old girl, Aisha Suleiman, who is suspected of fatally poisoning her ex-boyfriend, Emmanuel, along with four other young men in the Afashio community of Etsako West Local Government Area.
This tragic incident, which has sent shockwaves through the community, was uncovered on the morning of October 26 when Emmanuel’s father, Mr. Elogie Ezekiel, discovered the bodies of the five victims in his son’s apartment.
Ezekiel reportedly arrived at Emmanuel’s residence around 6:30 a.m. to find a devastating scene. The first body he encountered was that of Nurudeen, a young man found unresponsive in the hallway. Upon entering the bedroom, he discovered his son, 19-year-old Emmanuel, and his girlfriend, 16-year-old Ada Samuel, lying together on the bed, both appearing lifeless. In the living room, two of Emmanuel’s friends, Samuel and Jeffrey Ayegwalo, were also found unresponsive. All five were rushed to the hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival.
Community sources indicated that the group had recently consumed a pot of pepper soup, allegedly prepared by Suleiman, raising suspicions of intentional poisoning.
Three days after the discovery, police were alerted to a mob attempting to lynch Suleiman, who had been identified as the primary suspect. Officers from the Jattu Division intervened, rescuing her from the crowd and bringing her safely to the police station.
Police Public Relations Officer SP Moses Yamu confirmed that the case has been handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a thorough investigation. Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police CP Umoru Ozigi has ordered a comprehensive inquiry, directing officers to explore all avenues to determine the true cause of death. He also urged the community to refrain from any form of mob justice, assuring them of the police’s commitment to a thorough investigation.
CP Ozigi stated, “We ask the public to allow our officers to perform their duties. Justice will be pursued diligently, and we urge the community to cooperate with law enforcement.”
