The Rivers State Police Command has arrested some employees of a hotel in Port Harcourt, along with other individuals, over the death of a guest, identified as Okorite Charles.
The arrests were part of efforts by the police to unravel the mystery surrounding Charles’ death and identify those responsible after he, said to be in his mid-20s, died under mysterious circumstances after checking into the hotel with some friends.
Confirming the arrests yesterday, the Rivers State Police spokesperson, ASP Agabe Karbolo, said preliminary findings indicated that Charles was allegedly pushed from an upper floor of the hotel, although the circumstances surrounding the incident remained unclear.
Karbolo said Charles was taken to a hospital immediately after the incident but was pronounced dead by a medical doctor.
She said, “The victim’s friends came to the hotel and commenced a protest, which attracted a crowd and threatened to disrupt the peace of the area.
“Upon receipt of the information, police operatives promptly mobilised to the scene and successfully brought the situation under control, preventing further breakdown of law and order.
“The hotel staff on duty at the time of the incident, as well as the victim’s friends who were present with him, were arrested for questioning and investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.”
She added that the hotel’s operations had been temporarily restricted pending the outcome of the investigation.