Police Shut Down Port Harcourt Hotel After Man’s Suspicious Death

Panic has gripped Eagle Island Estate in Port Harcourt after a young man, identified simply as Charles, was found dead under suspicious circumstances in a hotel.

Following the incident, family and friends who stormed the hotel are demanding a proper explanation into the incident.

The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Thursday, with family members and friends of the deceased storming the hotel after receiving news of his death.

The development disrupted activities at the facility as the family rejected the hotel management’s account that Charles fell from the balcony of a two-storey building located at the rear of the hotel.

The family demanded access to the hotel’s CCTV footage, insisting that it could help establish what happened to the deceased.

The situation reportedly became tense, prompting operatives of the Azikiwe Police Division to rush to the scene following a distress call. The officers subsequently intervened to restore calm.

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Speaking to journalists, the deceased’s elder brother, Obomate, said the family received news of Charles’ death at about 5am on Thursday.

According to him, the family was initially informed that Charles had fallen from the balcony of the hotel’s two-storey building.

Obomate, however, said they became suspicious after visiting the scene and allegedly found no clear evidence suggesting that the deceased had died from a fall.

He said the family noticed what appeared to be signs of a struggle, including scattered items and traces of blood.

He further claimed that a doctor who examined Charles’ body suspected that the deceased may have suffered injuries beyond those expected from a fall.

Obomate said the doctor observed what appeared to be a deep wound on Charles’ stomach, suspected to be a stab injury, as well as an injury around his neck.

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He added that the deceased also had several injuries on his body, raising concerns that he may have been assaulted before his death.

“My brother cannot die like that. That’s why we want a thorough investigation to know what really happened,” Obomate said.

Following the incident, the police reportedly shut down the hotel and directed all guests and other occupants to leave the premises temporarily.

A source familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the closure was likely intended to preserve the scene, prevent possible tampering with evidence and forestall further confrontation at the hotel.

“As we speak, the hotel has been closed by the police. They asked everybody to vacate the premises. But the family are still there, asking to see the CCTV before they leave and the body is disposed of,” the source said.

Efforts to obtain comments from the Rivers State Police Command spokesperson, ASP Blessing Agabe, were unsuccessful as of Thursday afternoon.

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The deceased’s remains have reportedly been removed from the scene and deposited at an undisclosed mortuary by the police, while investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death are expected to continue.

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