The Edo State Police Command has launched an investigation into the deaths of five individuals in Afashio Community, Uzairue, Etsako West Local Council of the state.
A video circulating on social media since Wednesday shows the aftermath of the tragic incident, where five people reportedly died under suspicious circumstances.
The deceased, comprising four males and a female, were found lifeless in a room after allegedly consuming poisoned food.
Family members discovered the bodies after they grew concerned that the individuals had not emerged from the room. Upon checking, they found all five deceased. Two of the victims were identified as brothers, while the other three, including the female, were friends.
The Edo State Police Spokesperson, Moses Yamu, confirmed the incident. In a statement released yesterday, the police said they received a report on October 26, 2024, at about 7:30 a.m., from Mr Elogie Ezekiel of Afashio Community. Ezekiel stated that around 6:30 a.m. that day, he checked on his 19-year-old son, Emmanuel Elogie, at his apartment.
Upon entering, Ezekiel found the lifeless body of his son’s friend, identified only as Nurudeen, in the corridor. Inside the bedroom, he discovered the bodies of his son and his son’s girlfriend, Ada Samuel, aged 16, on the bed.
The bodies of two other friends, Samuel Ayegwalo and Jeffrey Ayegwalo, who were siblings, were found in the sitting room. The victims were rushed to the hospital, where they were confirmed dead.
“On October 29, 2024, at about 5:10 p.m., operatives of Jattu Division received information that a 16-year-old girl, later identified as Aisha Suleiman, suspected of poisoning the victims, was about to be lynched by some young men from the community,” the statement reads.
“The police mobilised to the scene, rescued the suspect, and transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a thorough investigation the next day.”
The Commissioner of Police, CP Umoru Peter Ozigi, has directed that no stone should be left unturned in uncovering the cause of the deaths.
He warned against jungle justice and assured the public that justice would be served following the investigation.
