Nigeria Army Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja has ordered an investigation into the killing of a hotel manager in Umuahia, Abia State.
Mr. Achimugu James Etubi who was only engaged by the hotel April 5, 2024 was allegedly tortured to death by some army personal on April 9 after a cadet of the Nigeria Air force indentified as Emmanuel Onyemereche allegedly drown in the hotel swimming pool.
The Army said in a statement Sunday, that the death of the hotel manager was regrettable.
“The Nigerian Army is deeply concerned by the alleged unprofessional conduct of some of its personnel in the tragic death of a hotel manager in Umuahia, Abia State, as reported in some online media,” said the statement made available to the media by the Director Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu
“The Chief of Army Staff has promptly ordered a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the facts and bring to book, anyone found culpable.”
“The NA extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased Manager Achimugu Etubi and the Nigerian Air Force Officer Cadet Emmanuel Onyemereche and assure the public that every effort will be made to ensure that justice is served.”
The owner of the hotel, Dr Steve Ihedigbo, urged the army authorities to conduct a proper investigation, stressing that death of the cadet was suspicious.
He narrated his ordeal to news reporters Saturday night. He said the cadet who came in company of his colleague to have a drink at poolside was later reported to be missing.
” When I got the call I quickly drove down to the hotel and went direct to the pool side.
“When I got there I was told that the boy did not jump inside the swimming pool.
” They were going outside to check whether he went outside or inside the toilet. Up till around 8 pm he was not found but I was told they started looking for him since 5:00pm.
” About nine police men where already there when I got to the pool side. Everybody was searching for the boy. Fire service men were called and they brought their vehicle and ladder.
” The father of the deceased also came and told me that his son should be released, and I told him that I don’t understand what was going on. He told me that his son’s colleague said his son did not swim.
” So, there was confusion. But we called three divers who went into the pool to search for him, and they found him and brought him out.
“Everybody was surprised that he did not look like somebody who got drowned because his tummy was very flat. No water was coming out from the mouth or nose. Everybody including security agencies and his father were very surprised.”
He said on Thursday, some Army personnel stormed the hotel and said they would want to interrogate some of the staff at their base.
” I was told that after the interrogation they were ordered to be beaten and they started beating them.
“The most unfortunate thing was that the other cadet who came with the deceased and should be the prime suspect, was among those beating my staff.
” I was told they concentrated on my Food and Beverage manager, Mr James Etubi. They beat him to a pulp. Unfortunately, he was the man that was supposed to give us evidence because he was in charge of the pool side.
“He was there when everything happened but they just killed him for reasons I don’t know. They were hitting him at the neck and head. When he died, they put him in a tricycle with others and took them to the hospital where he was just confirmed dead. “
He urged the army to question the man who came with deceased cadet to hotel.
” He was the one who deceived everybody, saying that his friend was outside while he was being searched for. He said his friend did not enter the pool. So, for three hours, he deceived everybody. We were looking for him outside without knowing he was inside the pool.”
He reasoned that this was a case of double murder and has demanded for justice for the deceased cadet and his manager.
” I want justice served, and let the perpetrators of this crime be brought to book. I want this to be properly addressed by the Army headquarters.”
