Metro

Hotelier, Others Arrested As Lodger Found Dead In Delta Hotel

Published

8 months ago

March 26, 2025

Editor

A hotel owner, his wife and a security guard have been apprehended by police operative in Owheologbo, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State following the death of a client in mysterious circumstances linked to ritual killing.

Officials of Isoko North Local Government Council sealed the hotel following the suspects’ arrest.

Community sources said that the owner, his wife and a staff of the hotel have been arrested in connection with activities linked to kidnapping and rituals.

The incident, Vanguard gathered, was the disappearance of a lodger, Sunday Ogofotha, who came from Lagos to attend the funeral of a relative.

The police were informed and upon investigation, the police found evidence of the kidnapping and arrested the hotel owner, Joseph Oghole, the security guard and his wife.

The POS machine and other valuables of a mysteriously killed POS operator earlier were also recovered from the hotel by the Police.

Godwin Ogorugba, Council Chairman of Isoko North Local Government Area angered by the act ordered the immediate sealing of the Hotel.

Century Hotel, located in Owhelogbo community was allegedly being used as a hub for kidnapping and other criminal activities.

The victim had travelled to attend a family member’s funeral and lodged in the hotel but was allegedly killed on Friday night in his room.

According to a source, “Century home is a den of kidnappers, ritual and other criminal activities take place there. Last year, a girl, a POS operator opposite the hotel was killed in same circumstances and during the search for the man who lodged in the hotel on Friday that was killed, the POS machine and other valuables belonging to the POS girl were recovered from the hotel.

“Even the wife of the security guard in the hotel has confessed how the POS girl was killed by her husband and buried her at the back of the hotel. Century home is a butcher home where innocent people meet their untimely death.

“What surprises us was the opening at the back of the hotel with a stream and bushes all over it. Can I shock you? Do you know that the sides and front gate of the hotel are well-fenced, plastered, painted and decorated?

“But the back of the hotel where they have bush and a stream is not fenced at all and you can never notice that and that is where all the atrocities take place in the community,” she said.

Another community source narrated, “The man is from Owhelogbo community, Isoko North. He came all the way from Lagos on Friday to attend the burial of his late relative the following day which was on Saturday.

“But till on Sunday, he was not seen and relatives called his wife and luckily the man had told his wife the hotel he was lodging on arrival to the community on that very Friday.

“Based on that information, the family members moved straight to the hotel to make enquiries but they were told by the hotel management that nobody of such came to lodge in their hotel.

“After much-heated argument, the family members insisted on checking all the rooms with a bit resistance from the hotel management. As the checking was going on, they got to a particular room and the hotel owner, Chief Joseph Ovie Oghole, insisted that clients lodged in that particular room were making out so they should not be disturbed for whatever reason.

“But the family members and members of the community’s vigilante group broke the door and they saw the man on the bed already killed. He was tied with rope with so many injuries inflicted on him both his penis,” he added.

According to Vanguard, the Council Chairman, Ogorugba with some key government officials and security personnel had visited the scene of the crime and officially sealed up the hotel following alleged kidnapping and criminal activities said to be going on in the hotel.

Ogoruba was said to have expressed his deep regret over the unfortunate event even as he emphasized the serious nature of criminal activities in the area and explained the rationale behind the recent curfew imposed in the local government for public safety.

“The police are actively investigating, and we are committed to uncovering the facts and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable. For now, I will not be able to disclose all details publicly for security reasons but be rest assured that efforts to preserve safety in Owhelogbo and the entire Isoko North Local Government remain our priority.

“This hotel should be completely sealed up and I want to warn individuals who use their structures for illegal activities, including kidnapping, that the wrath of the law shall catch up with you. Recently, I convened a meeting of hotel owners within the council and the management of this hotel failed to attend.

“During that meeting, we emphasised the need to maintain a manifest to track customer check-ins and check-outs. Moving forward, we will take decisive action against any property owners who aid criminal activities in our communities,” Ogorugba warned.

The recovered remains of Ogofotha have been deposited at an undisclosed morgue in Ozoro.

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, was yet to respond to a message sent to him.

Metro

PHOTOS: Borno Woman Recovers N23m Gold Buried During Boko Haram Escape

Published

13 hours ago

December 1, 2025

Editor

The Borno State Police Command has helped a woman residing in the Mallam Fatori area recover gold worth ₦23.6 million that she buried in sand while escaping a Boko Haram attack 15 years ago.

The unearthed gold
In a statement on Monday, the Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Nahum Daso, said the state police commissioner, Naziru Abdulmajid, commended the Divisional Police Officer of Mallam Fatori and his team for their exemplary professionalism and integrity.

It read, “The Commissioner of Police, Borno State Police Command, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, PSC, commended the Divisional Police Officer of Mallam Fatori Division and his team for their exemplary professionalism and integrity in recovering valuable property belonging to a female resident of the community.

“The woman, who fled Mallam Fatori during a Boko Haram attack 15 years ago, recently returned and sought police assistance to retrieve items she had buried in the sand while escaping the incident,” he noted.

Daso said that through diligent and coordinated efforts, the officers successfully recovered “22 cc of gold valued at approximately ₦20 million, as well as a gold bracelet with chain worth ₦3.6 million.”

He further stated that the Commissioner praised the officers for their honesty, dedication, and service, noting that their actions reflect the core values of the Nigeria Police Force and further strengthen public confidence in law enforcement.

“CP Naziru Abdulmajid reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, urging residents to continue supporting and cooperating with the police for enhanced security across the state,” Daso added.

Metro

Osun Monarch’s Burial Rites Turn Bloody

Published

13 hours ago

December 1, 2025

Editor

Controversies over the burial rites for the 30th Owa of Igbajo, Oba Adegboyega Famodun, turned bloody on Monday as people opposed to observance of passage rites for him clashed with those that wanted honour befitting a royal father for the deceased.

In the fracas that occurred inside Iloro Market in Igbajo, on Monday, one man identified simply as Ifa was injured, while two other people reportedly sustained bruises.

The state Governor, Ademola Adeleke, had on Monday imposed a 24-hour curfew on Igbajo, amid protest, over Famodun’s death.

According to The PUNCH, a statement signed by Prince Adekunle Famodun on behalf of the family said Famodun “passed away on Friday, November 28, 2025, after a brief illness,” at the age of 67.

“As you may recall, Oba Adegboyega Famodun was installed and presented with the staff of office on November 24, 2022, by the former Governor of Osun State, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola.

“Although his position was disputed by a white paper issued by Governor Ademola Adeleke, the Osun State High Court reinstated him on January 30, 2025,” the statement read partly.

Before his appointment and installation as monarch, Oba Famodun had served as the Osun State chairman of the All Progressives Congress.

The PUNCH also reported on March 12, 2024, that Osun State Government approved the appointment of Prince Ademola Makinde as the new Owa of Igbajo, replacing Famodun.

But violent clashes erupted in the town when those believed to be loyal to late Famodun demanded that Iloro Market be shut in his honour.

But those opposed to the move, reportedly resisted the attempt to force some traders that opened for business to close shop.

In some of the video footages of the protest shared by a Facebook user, Taiwo Olaore, on Monday, unrest was observed in a market place, with some people demanding that the traders that opened for business, should shut down, as a mark of respect for the deceased.

Also, in the video, some women in white attire, bearing leave, rebuked the traders that opened for business and asked them to immediately close, and mourn the late Famodun.

Speaking further on the crises, a resident of Igbajo, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment on the matter, said “they wanted to do burial rite for Oba Famodun but another set of people insisted that the late monarch was a prince and not a king.

“In order to perform the rite, the Iloro market must be shut for three market days.

It was in the process of closing the market that the group opposed to the move mobilised to the market and insisted that they must close it.

“Three people were injured during the clash that occurred at the market. One of them is known as Ifa. His pictures with blood stained clothes circulated on the social media. The market was later shut,” he said.

Asked if the burial rites were being observed despite the curfew imposed by the State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, he said “The burial rites are ongoing. Although people didn’t come out after the governor declared a curfew but those performing the rites carried on with their duties alongside supporters of the late monarch.”

He also said there was massive deployment of security personnel to the town to prevent breakdown of law and order.

Contacted for update on the security situation in Igbajo, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said one person was injured in the fracas that occurred in the town early on Monday, noting that normalcy has returned to the community.

“Our personnel are on the ground, but as of this morning when I communicated, no arrest has been made. Igbajo community is now peaceful. One person got injured during the clash,” Ojelabi said.

Metro

Kwara Traditional Ruler Kidnapped On His Farm

Published

2 days ago

November 30, 2025

Editor

Gunmen have reportedly abducted a traditional ruler in Bayagan community in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Ojibara of Bayagan Oba Kamilu Salami, on Saturday.

It was gathered that the traditional ruler was kidnapped Saturday morning on his farm, while details of the incident were still sketchy.

Eyewitness disclosed that the attack happened suddenly and left the community in apprehension and confusion. Meanwhile, the incident had triggered fresh concerns over cases of insecurity across the country.

The Kwara State Police command was yet to confirm the incident as at when filing this report.