Photos: Cross River Police arrests man who poisoned food in a restaurant that left 2 dead and over 46 hospitalized

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.