The Rivers State Police Command has sealed off a hotel in Eagle Island Estate, Port Harcourt, following the death of a young man identified simply as Charles under questionable circumstances.
The incident reportedly caused panic at the hotel after family members and friends of the deceased stormed the facility, demanding an explanation from the management.
The development disrupted business activities at the hotel as the family rejected the explanation that Charles fell from a balcony, insisting that management provide CCTV footage to establish what happened.
The situation reportedly degenerated before operatives of the Azikiwe Police Division, Port Harcourt, arrived at the hotel following a distress call and restored calm.
The deceased’s elder brother, identified as Obomate, said the family was informed of Charles’ death at about 5am on Thursday.
Obomate said the family was initially told that Charles had fallen from the balcony of a two-storey building at the rear of the hotel.
“I was at home around 5:00am when they called me. My younger sister said someone had taken pictures and sent them to her, informing her that my younger brother had died,” he said.
He said the family visited the hotel but found no evidence that Charles had fallen from the balcony.
“We were told that he fell from the balcony of a two-storey building at the back of the hotel. We visited the hotel, but we did not see any trace indicating that he fell from the balcony,” he said.
According to him, the family instead observed what appeared to be signs of a struggle at the scene, including scattered items and traces of blood.
“What we saw were signs suggesting that someone had struggled or possibly engaged in a fight. The area was scattered, and we also saw traces of blood,” he said.
Obomate further claimed that a doctor who examined Charles at the hospital expressed doubts that his injuries were consistent with an ordinary fall.
“When we got to the hospital, the doctor told us that it was not a mere fall. He said the wound he observed on my brother’s stomach appeared to be a stab wound that had penetrated deeply,” he said.
He added that the doctor also suspected that Charles had been struck on the neck and noted other injuries on his body.
“He (the doctor) also said he suspects that something had been used to hit him on the neck. It appeared that he had been severely beaten, as he also had injuries on his body,” Obomate said.
The deceased’s brother called for justice and a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding Charles’ death.
Following the incident, police operatives shut down the hotel and ordered everyone, including guests, to vacate the premises temporarily.
A source familiar with the incident, who pleaded anonymity, said the police action was likely aimed at securing the scene, preventing possible tampering with or destruction of evidence and averting any 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,” the source said.