The Edo State Police Command has detained a 16-year-old girl, Aisha Suleiman, who is accused of fatally poisoning her ex-boyfriend, Emmanuel, and four other young men in the Afashio community, Etsako West Local Government Area.
The tragic incident came to light on October 26, 2024, when Emmanuel’s father, Mr. Elogie Ezekiel, visited his son’s residence at around 6:30 a.m. and found several lifeless bodies. In the corridor, he discovered the body of a young man, Nurudeen, while in the bedroom, he found his son Emmanuel, 19, and Emmanuel’s girlfriend, Ada Samuel, 16, lying unresponsive. Two other friends, siblings Samuel and Jeffrey Ayegwalo, were also found unconscious in the sitting room. All five were taken to the hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival.
Local sources reported that Suleiman had prepared a pot of pepper soup for the victims before the incident. Three days later, police received a report that Suleiman was at risk of being lynched by community members. State Police Public Relations Officer SP Moses Yamu confirmed that officers from the Jattu Division intervened, ensuring Suleiman’s safety by transporting her to the station.
“The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department to conduct a thorough investigation,” Yamu added.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Umoru Ozigi, has ordered a detailed investigation, instructing officers to pursue every possible lead to determine the true cause of death in the case.
He also warned against any form of mob action, urging the community to allow the police to carry out their duties. CP Ozigi reassured the public that justice would be pursued diligently.
