The Rivers State Police Command has shut a hotel in Eagle Island Estate, Port Harcourt, following the death of a young man identified simply as Charles under circumstances the deceased’s family described as suspicious.
The incident reportedly caused tension at the hotel on Thursday morning after relatives and friends of the deceased arrived at the facility seeking answers over his death.
The family was reportedly told that Charles died after falling from the balcony of a two storey building located behind the hotel.
However, his relatives rejected the explanation and demanded access to the hotel’s closed circuit television footage to establish what transpired before his death.
The situation reportedly became tense before operatives of the Azikiwe Police Division arrived at the hotel following a distress call and intervened.
The deceased’s elder brother, Obomate, said the family received news of Charles’ death at about 5am on Thursday.
According to him, relatives were informed that Charles had fallen from the balcony, but what they allegedly observed at the scene raised questions about the circumstances surrounding his death.
Obomate said, “We were told that he fell from the balcony of a two storey building at the back of the hotel.
“When we got there, we did not see any clear evidence that he had fallen from the balcony. Instead, we noticed what appeared to be signs of a struggle or fight. The place was scattered and there were also traces of blood.
“When we got to the hospital, the doctor told us that it did not look like an ordinary fall.
He said the injury on my brother’s stomach appeared to be a deep stab wound and that there were indications that something might have been used to hit him on the neck.
“He also had several injuries on his body, which made us suspect that he had been severely beaten.”
The deceased’s brother said the family was determined to uncover the circumstances surrounding Charles’ death and called for a comprehensive investigation.
“My brother cannot die like that. That is why we want a thorough investigation to know what really happened,” he added.
Following the incident, the police reportedly sealed the hotel and directed guests and other occupants to leave the premises temporarily.
A source familiar with the development said the police action was believed to be aimed at preserving the scene and preventing possible interference with evidence while the investigation continued.
“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.
The remains of the deceased were subsequently removed from the scene and deposited at an undisclosed mortuary by the police.
Efforts to obtain the reaction of the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Blessing Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, were unsuccessful as of Thursday afternoon when the report was filed.