Angry youths in Owheologbo, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, have set ablaze the Century Home Hotel following the mysterious death of a guest, Mr. Sunday Ogofotha.
Ogofotha, who had traveled from Lagos to attend a relative’s funeral, allegedly met his untimely demise under unclear circumstances at the hotel.
His death sparked outrage among youths, who proceeded to destroy and set the hotel on fire.
In response to the incident, the police arrested four hotel staff members, while the hotel’s owner, Chief Joshua Oghoole, was invited for questioning.
After an interrogation, he was allegedly released without charges.
A source who spoke to Vanguard said the hotel owner’s release might have fueled the anger of the youths leading to the burning of the hotel.
Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, stated that the details of Ogofotha’s death remains unclear but confirmed that a mob was responsible for setting the hotel ablaze.
He further disclosed that another hotel owned by Chief Oghoole in the local government area had previously been set on fire.
“The hotel owner is innocent; they are simply targeting him unfairly. He had no involvement in the incident,” Edafe stated.
Meanwhile, Isoko North Local Government Council Chairman, Elder Godwin Ogorugba, has warned property owners against allowing illegal activities such as kidnapping on their premises, emphasizing that legal actions would be taken against violators.
“This hotel must remain sealed. I recently convened a meeting with hotel owners in the area, stressing the importance of keeping records of customer check-ins and check-outs.
“The management of this hotel failed to attend that meeting. Moving forward, we will take decisive measures against any property owners found aiding criminal activities,” he stated.
The remains of Ogofotha were reportedly taken to a morgue in Ozoro.
Delta Youth Set Hotel Ablaze Over Guest’s Mysterious Death is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
Source: The Whistler