Moses Ofodeme
Police in Katsina have confirmed that two Nigeriens, who attended a wedding in the Mani Local Government Area of Katsina State have died after consuming food suspected to have contained poisonous substance.
The victims, Bilkisu Surajo, 20; and Ibrahim Sani, 13, were among the 19 guests who ate the poisoned food.
The incident occurred on Saturday.
Eyewitnesses said the 19 guests, who ate from the poisoned food, became unconscious; and were rushed to the General Hospital, Mani; where the two Nigeriens eventually died.
The spokesman for the state police command, SP Gambo Isah; confirmed the incident on Thursday.
He said they arrested two suspects, Musa Suleiman, 25; and Shafa’atu Sirajo, 20, both of Ali Yaba village in the Mani Local Government Area of the state, in connection with the incident.
The two suspects allegedly conspired to put a substance; known in Hausa as Zaqami, in the food that was served the guests.
“We arrested two suspects, Musa Suleiman (male); and Shafa’atu Sirajo (female); and they have confessed to the crime. Investigation is ongoing,” Isah stated.