The Abia State Police Command has said that discreet investigations have commenced on the death of the Manager of Hotel Royal Damgrate, Mr James Etubi, who was allegedly beaten to death by military officers in Umuahia.
Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, of the Command, Maureen Chinaka made this known in a statement she made available to journalists on Monday, saying that the body of the deceased hotel manager is presently undergoing autopsy to determine the cause of his death.
According to the statement, the death of the hotel manager is sequel to the death of a cardet officer who allegedly drowned while swimming inside the pool of the Umuahia-based hotel on April 9.
The statement read: “Yes, a report was received at CPS Umuahia from the Director of Royal Damgrate alleging that that four military personnel came to the hotel, took away four of his staff and beat them resulting in various degrees of injury.
“One of the staff, James Etubi slumped and was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead by a doctor.
His body has been deposited at the hospital mortuary sequel to the death of a cardet officer who drowned during swimming at the hotel pool on 9/04/2024.
“Detectives have visited the hospital, taken pictures of the deceased and the body is undergoing autopsy. Discreet investigation is ongoing.”
The proprietor of Hotel Royal Damgrate, Dr Steve Ihedigbo, had during the weekend alleged that military personnel arrested and beat up four of his staff during interrogation, resulting to the death of Mr James Etubi, the manager in charge of food and beverages (F&B) in the hotel.
According to Ihedigbo, the the military operatives, while beating the hotel manager, concentrated on his head and neck region.
He noted that the hotel manager may have been killed to cover up the true cause of the death of the cadet officer, identified as Chidiebere Onyeomereneche.
Autopsy begins on remains of hotel manager allegedly killed by soldiers in Umuahia