Police in Katsina State have confirmed the arrest of two suspects who allegedly poisoned food prepared for guests at a wedding ceremony in Mashi Local Government Area of the state.
Spokesperson of the Command, Gambo Isah, who confirmed the arrest in a statement, said two persons died as a result of consuming the poisoned food.
Isah gave the names of the suspects as 25-year old Musa Suleiman and 20-year old Shafa’atu Sirajo, who allegedly conspired to poison the food with a local substance called ” Zaqami”.
The police image-maker further stated that the Divisional Police Officer of the area swung into action immediately the distress call was received leading to the arrest of the two suspects.
The statement further noted that 19 persons, who ate the food, all fell ill and became unconscious. They were immediately rushed to the Mashi General Hospital where two of them from Niger Republic including 20-year old Bilkisu Surajo and another 13-year Old Ibrahim Sani were pronounced dead by the physician on duty.
Isah added that the two suspects have confessed to commit the crime, as investigation is on going into the matter.
Similarly, the Command said it has also foiled an attempt to rustle cattle with the suspected bandits arrested and some herds of cattle recovered at Dan-Alhaji and Zamfarawa villages of Batsari Local Government Area of the state.
The statement by the Police said that the arrested suspect who is 26-year old Abubakar Maiunguwa has confessed to being part of those who launched the deadly attacks on two villages in Tsauwa and Dankar that left over 30 persons dead.
Isah also said investigation is on going into the case.
