Nigerian Military Responds to Allegations of Torturing Hotel Manager to Death in Umuahia

The Nigerian military has issued a statement in response to accusations of torturing a hotel manager to death in Umuahia, Abia State. The allegations arose following an incident involving Cadet Officer Emmanuel Chidiebere Onyemereche of the Nigerian Defence Academy, who reportedly drowned at Damgrete Hotel’s swimming pool on April 9, 2024.

Following the drowning incident, Operation UDO KA in Abia State questioned four hotel staff members regarding the cadet’s death and subsequently released them. However, one of the workers later experienced health issues and was taken to the Federal Medical Center in Umuahia, where he was declared dead on arrival.

The military expressed its condolences to the family of the deceased hotel worker and announced that all personnel involved in the interrogation process have been detained. An investigation is underway to determine the actual cause of the worker’s death.

Operation UDO KA emphasized its commitment to operating within legal boundaries and vowed to hold any personnel found culpable accountable. The statement, signed by Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Acting Director of Defence Information, assured that the investigation would leave no stone unturned in uncovering the true circumstances of the worker’s death.