When we hear the words “food poisoning,” we tend to think about foodborne illness caused by pathogens like salmonella and E. coli or a virus such as norovirus. However, what happens when actual poison is added to food? Tragically, communities in Nigeria and India recently found out.
As reported by Food Poisoning News last week, five people were found dead inside a home from what was initially suspected as “traditional” food poisoning. However, it was soon revealed that the five had consumed poisoned food.
A 16 year old girl has been arrested for the alleged poisoning of five people who consumed soup that she had prepared. Her intent was to poison her ex-boyfriend who had recently ended their relationship.
Instead of consuming it himself, the ex-boyfriend shared it with four of his friends – two brothers and three others, including a young woman.
After the five youths had not been seen for a while, family members entered the room where the friends had gathered and found them all dead.
According to reports, outraged members of the community were in the process of lynching the 16 year old when police were called.
After arriving, the ex-girlfriend was arrested and taken into custody. She is reportedly being held by the Nigerian army who is also involved in the investigation. A spokesperson for Edo’s state police told the media that they are investigating the cause of death.
In a similar incident last month, police detained a woman in India’s Uttar Pradesh state accused of fatally poisoning her husband by lacing his food with poison.
The woman’s 32 year old husband had become suddenly ill after eating a dinner in celebration of a religious festival.
Although the man was taken to a local medical facility, doctors were not able to save him.
Suspecting foul play, the man’s family contacted police and accused the wife of poisoning him. She was taken into custody and is accused of “culpable homicide not amounting to murder” and poisoning.
Commenting on this article, one national food poisoning lawyer said, “Both of these stories are equally tragic due to the loss of life. Fortunately, authorities were quickly involved to arrest the alleged culprits.”
