The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 16-year-old girl, Aisha Suleiman, accused of fatally poisoning her ex-boyfriend, Emmanuel, and four other young men in the Afashio community, located in the Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.

The grim discovery unfolded on October 26, 2024, when Emmanuel’s father, Mr. Elogie Ezekiel, arrived at his son’s apartment early that morning. Upon entering, he found several lifeless bodies inside the home. In the corridor, he discovered Nurudeen, another young man, while in the bedroom, he found Emmanuel, 19, and his girlfriend, 16-year-old Ada Samuel, lying dead on the bed. Two siblings, Samuel and Jeffrey Ayegwalo, were found unresponsive in the sitting room.

Emergency services transported all five victims to a nearby hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival. Local sources indicated that the group had recently eaten a pot of pepper soup prepared by Suleiman.

The investigation took a dramatic turn three days later, when police learned that Suleiman was in danger of being attacked by a mob of young men from the community. State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Moses Yamu, stated that officers from the Jattu Division were dispatched to the scene to ensure her safety, promptly transporting her to the police station.

“The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a thorough investigation,” Yamu confirmed.

In the wake of the incident, Commissioner of Police, CP Umoru Ozigi, has called for an extensive inquiry, urging officers to explore all possible leads to ascertain the true cause of death. He also cautioned the community against mob violence, emphasizing the importance of allowing law enforcement to conduct their duties effectively. CP Ozigi reassured the public that the pursuit of justice will be a priority.