A hotel manager, Mr Achimugu James Etubi, has allegedly been tortured to death by some personnel of the Nigerian Army after a Nigerian Air Force cadet reportedly drowned in the swimming pool of Hotel Royal Damgrete, Umuahia, Abia State.
According to Sahara Reporters, the Kogi State-born Etubi was the head of the food and beverage department of the hotel located on Factory Road, Umuahia.
The Air Force cadet identified simply as CDT Chidiebere reportedly died in the hotel’s swimming pool on Tuesday.
The Abia State Police Command confirmed his death.
Following the incident, some Army personnel led by one Major Inuwa reportedly stormed the hotel on Friday in the guise of investigating the cadet’s death.
The entourage, which comprised one of the cadet officers who came with late Chidiebere to the hotel swimming pool, reportedly beat four hotel staff to stupor.
Etubi was said to have died in the process.
An unnamed source quoted by the online medium said, “In the process of investigating the death of the cadet officer, four persons were taken by the Nigeria Police Force for investigations, Mr. James Etubi inclusive.
“They were detained for a night and were released on bail. But a few days later, the military officers led by one Maj. Inuwa particularly, was said to have invited four persons including Mr James Etubi for further investigations, and threatened the owner of the hotel Mr. Steve Ihendigbo, to release the workers to the army or have his hotel damaged.
“The owner of the hotel now went against the police’s instructions to release them to the military just to save his hotel from attack.”
The source added, “The family, wife, and kids of the deceased are calling on Nigerians and relevant agencies to join voice and forces for justice in this inhuman treatment that led to the loss of life of Mr. Etubi.”
Neither the Nigerian Army nor the Nigerian Air Force has reacted to the development.