Police arrest hotel owner for ‘torturing staff to death’ over phone theft in Imo

The police command in Imo says it has arrested Ibe Obasi, the owner of Our Guest Hotel, in Umulogho Obowo LGA for the alleged murder of his staff.

Obasi and one military personnel were reported to have tortured Ebuka Nwaneri, a staff of the hospital, to death over a missing phone.

Sources said  Nwaneri was accused of stealing the phone belonging to the military personnel who was a guest at the facility.

Nwaneri was reportedly tortured and locked up in the hotel’s powerhouse where he died.

In a statement on Sunday, Henry Okoye, police spokesperson in Imo, said the hotel owner has provided useful information that will assist in arresting two other fleeing “conspirators” at large.

“Operatives of Obowo Divisional Police Headquarters, have arrested the owner of ‘Our Guest House’, Umulogho, Obowo, Mr. Ibe Obasi, 38yrs, who was allegedly involved in the murder of a 25-year-old Ebuka Udemba, ‘m’, an indigene of Umuokpa in Obowo LGA of Imo State,” the statement reads.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim was tortured and locked up inside the generator room of the said guest house by the suspect and two others at large, where he suffocated to death, on the accusation of stealing a customer’s handset.

“Accordingly, the suspect has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Owerri for consolidation of the ongoing investigation. He has provided useful information that will assist the determined operatives in arresting all the suspects in connection to the case.

“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma has tasked the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of SCID to carry out a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the remote circumstances surrounding the death of the victim and ensure that all the suspects involved are arrested and made to the full wrath of the law.

“While commiserating with the families, friends, and relatives of the victim, the Commissioner of Police strongly condemns the cruel act and calls on the people of Obowo LGA, particularly the residents of Umulogho to refrain from taking laws into their hands as the Command is on top of the situation and has commenced a thorough investigation to apprehend the suspects linked to the case of murder and bring them brought to book.”

The incident led to a protest in the community as youths demanded justice for the late Nwaneri.

The angry youths have threatened to bring the hotel down if those responsible for the deceased’s death were not apprehended.