Police in Delta State have arrested the manager of Century Home Hotel in Owheologbo, Isoko North Local Government Area, along with three others, following the mysterious death of a lodger, Mr. Sunday Ogofotha.
The victim, who had traveled from Lagos for a family funeral, was reported missing before being found dead in one of the hotel rooms. Authorities have since sealed off the hotel, amid growing concerns that it may be linked to criminal activities, including kidnappings and ritual killings.
According to community sources, Truthlive news learnt that Mr. Ogofotha was last seen on Friday after checking into the hotel. When his family could not reach him by Sunday, they traced his whereabouts based on information he had shared with his wife.
Upon visiting the hotel, relatives and local vigilantes demanded to search the premises. Initially met with resistance from the hotel management, they forced entry into a particular room and discovered Ogofotha’s lifeless body—bound with rope, showing multiple injuries, and with his genitals mutilated.
Further investigations reportedly led to the recovery of a POS machine and valuables belonging to a PoS operator who was killed in a similar case last year. The wife of one of the arrested suspects allegedly confessed that her husband had murdered the PoS operator and buried her behind the hotel.
In response, Isoko North Local Government Chairman, Godwin Ogorugba, ordered the immediate closure of the hotel, condemning the crime and vowing to crack down on establishments linked to illegal activities.
“This hotel should be completely shut down. We will not allow criminal elements to operate under the disguise of hospitality businesses,” he stated.
Ogorugba further revealed that hotel owners in the region had been warned to keep records of all guests, but the management of Century Home Hotel failed to comply.
Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, confirmed that four suspects, including the hotel manager, are in custody. However, he clarified that the hotel owner and his wife were not involved and were only invited for questioning before being released.
Meanwhile, the body of Mr. Ogofotha has been taken to an undisclosed morgue in Ozoro, as investigations continue. Authorities have assured the public that those responsible for the crime will face the full weight of the law.