7 feared dead after meal in Benin

Seven persons from the same family died in Benin City, the Edo State capital after reportedly eating a poisoned meal yesterday.

Our correspondent gathered that the victims whose identities were yet to be ascertained went to sleep on Thursday night after eating but didn’t wake up the following morning.

The place was deserted when our reporter visited the area while a few sympathisers were seen outside the compound discussing the incident.

A sympathiser, Mrs Rachel

Anyanwu, said she learnt that the incident was due to food poisoning and that they had to break into the apartment to rush the victims to the hospital.

The head of the family where the incident happened was said to have lost his wife about five days ago.

“The man lost his wife last week Sunday and today is making it five days now. Those who were rushed to the hospital this morning were his children and other relatives who came to sympathize with the man over the death of his wife,” she said.

A resident who lives opposite the victim’s house, Mrs. Christy Igbinadolor, said they got to know of the incident when a man came to inquire of the whereabouts of the family from her.

According to her, the man told her that it was one of the victims’ relatives in Port Harcourt that called him to come down and find out what was going on as they were not answering his calls.

When contacted the state police command’s spokesperson, Chidi Nwanbuzor, said he was yet to be briefed on the incident and promised to get back to our reporter which he couldn’t do until press time.