What was supposed to be a cool evening out at the Kayriott Hotels and Suites in Effurun, Warri turned to carnage as Naval officers turned the serenity to a melee.
An activist, Mr Oghenejabor Ikimi recounts, “One Navy Lt Akalezie Uche, attached to the Nigerian Navy, NNS Delta, in Warri, Delta State, in company of a female friend and another young man, visited the hotel and were attended to at the pool bar by a waitress, Rachael Usen.
“The waitress at the end of stay of the trio demanded payment of N8,500 from them for the food, drinks and ice cream which the said Lieutenant Izokpu and his friends had ordered and consumed, but Izokpu claimed that he had already paid, to the consternation of the waitress, who insisted that she had not been paid a dime.”
The hotel security which included a mobile police officer attempted to arrest the Naval officer and a fight ensued. The Navy men went for reinforcements and returned to cause carnage.
“In the melee that ensued, workers, lodgers and customers, including Efe Afe, former Delta Assembly member, were severely beaten up and the hotel automatic sliding door worth over N10 million, was shot at and damaged by the ravaging Naval Ratings, who in the process lined the hotel walls with bullet holes on the orders of Navy Lt Izokpu.”
The police sergeant was heavinly injured in the fracas and is currently in a third specialist hospital receiving emergency treatments.
The CEO, Mr Efe Afe petitioned the Chief of Naval staff. The petition reads in part, “The conduct of Navy Lieutenant Izokpu is no doubt condemnable and unbecoming of a Naval Officer and as such, we call on the Chief of Naval Staff, for a comprehensive investigation into this matter with a view to bringing Navy Lieutenant Izokpu and his cohorts including the nine Naval Ratings to book.”