Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The owner of a popular hotel in Umuahia, Abia State capital, Dr Steve Ihedigbo, has demanded justice for his ex-staff, James Etubi, who was allegedly tortured to death by soldiers at the Army base at ADP premises Umuahia.
Ihedigbo who said he had petitioned the Chief of Army Staff called for thorough investigation into the matter to unravel what actually transpired.
Mr Etubi, 48, assumed duty and as Food and Beverage Manager of the hotel on April 5, and had spent barely one week at the hotel before he met his tragic death on Thursday, April 11.
Addressing newsmen in Umuahia, Dr Ihedigbo expressed pain over the action of the Army and demanded full investigation into the matter.
He explained that following the alleged drowning of Air Force cadet officer in his hotel pool on Tuesday, soldiers from ADP (Agriculture Development Project) base Umuahia, came to the hotel and whisked away some staff for interrogation.
Air Force cadet, Chidiebere Onyemereche, had last week, visited Umuahia with his friend, and allegedly got drowned inside Damgrate Hotel swimming pool.
Meanwhile, his death has been shrouded in mystery as it has not yet been established how the tragic incident occured.
Dr Ihedigbo told newsmen that his Manager on Tuesday April 9, informed him that somebody was missing around the pool side of the hotel.
He said he quickly rushed to the scene of the incident to see things for himself.
“When I got the call I quickly drove down to the hotel and went direct to the poolside. When I got there I was told that the boy did not jump inside the swimming pool.
“They were going outside to check whether he went outside or inside the toilet. Up till around 8 pm he was not found but I was told they started looking for him since 5:00pm.
“About nine policemen where already there when I got to the poolside. Everybody was searching for the boy. Fire service men were called and they brought their vehicle and ladder.
“The father of the deceased also came and told me that his son should be released, and I told him that I don’t understand what was going on. He told me that his son’s colleague said his son did not swim.
“So, there was confusion. But we called three divers who went into the pool to search for him, and they found him and brought him out.
“Everybody was surprised that he did not look like somebody who got drowned because his tummy was very flat. No water was coming out from the mouth or nose. Everybody including security agencies and his father was very surprised.
“Then the police took him to the mortuary. His father told us there was nothing he could do, adding that he has been seeing this type of thing.”
The Hotel Damgrate CEO, said the police arrested some of his workers the following day but later released them on bail.
“Then, the next day, some Army personnel stormed the hotel and said they wanted to interrogate some of the staff,” he said.
Ihedigbo also said his Manager later went to ADP Army base where she was grilled for hours until later evening.
According to him, the Army sternly warned her to return to the base by 8:00 am the following day with the remaining three staff for further interrogations.
Ihedigbo said the deceased staff died in the hands of the soldiers torturing him.
“So, the next day, they went back to ADP and interrogations continued. I was told that after the interrogation they were ordered to be beaten and they started beating them. The most unfortunate thing was that the other cadet who came with the deceased and should be the prime suspect, was among those beating my staff.
“I was told they concentrated on my Food and Beverage Manager, Mr James Etubi. They beat him to a pulp. Unfortunately, he was the man that was supposed to give us evidence because he was in charge of the pool side.
“He was there when everything happened but they just killed him for reasons I don’t know. They were hitting him at the neck and head. When he died, they put him in a tricycle with others and took them to the hospital where he was just confirmed dead.”
According to him, other staff who were tortured along with the late Etubi, sustained varying degrees of injuries.
“One of my staff, a lady, has been taken to the hospital and the other man is very sick because of the beating.”
Ihedigbo wondered why the Army would not be looking the direction of the other cadet officer who came to the hotel with the deceased officer.
Claiming that the other cadet officer was related to the wife of a senior police officer at the Central Police Station, Ihedigbo said there should be no sacred cows.
“Yesterday, I went to ADP, and I saw him but he is the person who should be the principal suspect. I was told that the deceased cadet officer even paid for both of them.
“He was the one who deceived everybody, saying that his friend was outside while he was being searched for. He said his friend did not enter the pool. So, for three hours, he deceived everybody. We were looking for him outside without knowing he was inside the pool.”
On whether the action was recorded by the Close Circuit Television , CCTV, camera of the hotels, Dr Ihedigbo, said some of the CCTV cameras were affected by a recent thunderstorm, and had not been repaired before the incident.
Ihedigbo urged the Army headquarters to launch a full investigation into the matter to unravel the truth.
“I want justice served, and let the perpetrators of this crime be brought to book. I want this to be properly addressed by the Army headquarters.”
In a swift response, the Nigerian Army, has ordered full investigation into the matter.
The Army, in a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said a comprehensive investigation had been ordered into the matter.
According to the statement, the Nigeria Army frowned at unprofessional conducts of any of its personnel, promising to properly investigate the incident.
Below is a full text of the statement:
“The Nigerian Army (NA) is deeply concerned by the alleged unprofessional conduct of some of its personnel in the tragic death of a hotel manager in Umuahia, Abia State, as reported in some online media.
“In response to this unfortunate incident, the Chief of Army Staff has promptly ordered a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the facts and bring to book, anyone found culpable.
“The NA extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased Manager Mr Achimugu James Etubi and the Nigerian Air Force Officer Cadet Emmanuel Chidiebere Onyemereche and assures the public that every effort will be made to ensure that justice is served.
“The Army is committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and discipline, and therefore any personnel found culpable of wrongdoing will face appropriate legal sanctions.
“Furthermore, the NA reaffirms its unwavering dedication to safeguarding the security of all citizens. We remain steadfast in our mission to promote lasting peace and security throughout Nigeria.
“The Nigerian Army is resolute in its pursuit of truth and justice, and we will keep the public informed at the conclusion of the investigation.”
