The Cross River State Police command has arrested one Mr.
Paul Nchui who allegedly poisoned food in a restaurant that has left 2
people dead and over 46 hospitalized in Oboso community of Mbube in
Ogoja local government area of the state.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo who
confirmed the arrest said that the 35 year-old suspect from Oboso, the
affected community in Ogoja Local Government area of the state has
confessed to the crime.
No fewer than 46 people are currently hospitalized after
eating the poisoned food. The food vendor and her husband, Mr. Edidi
died immediately after eating food from their restaurant on Friday,
March 24th.
The incident raised serious tension in the state as many
suspected that it was an outbreak of Ebola, Lassa or some strange
ailment. Confirming the incident, Health Commissioner, Dr. Inyang
Asibong said all the affected cases are from a food vendor in Oboso and
was actually food poisoning.
"She (the food vendor) and her husband died on Friday
following onset of symptoms" Dr. Inyang said, adding that 40 people are
currently admitted in General Hospital, Ogoja, while 4 in a private
hospital. A statement issued by the police said:
"Mr. Paul Nchui, a suspect who poisoned a restaurant of a
food vendor in Oboso community in Ogoja has been arrested. The suspect
is in our custody and has confessed to the crime. He will soon be
charged to court".
The reason for the suspect’s action was not confirmed by
the Police at news time but it is speculated in the state that the
suspect has confessed that he poisoned the restaurant to punish the
community for the treatment meted on him.
According to a source, “The suspect has confessed that he poisoned the restaurant to
punish the entire community because of the ill treatment they meted on
him.
No comments: