A 67-year-old French national, identified as Mr. Pietier Gilles, was found dead in a hotel room in Gboko, located in the Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to reports, Mr. Gilles had checked into Hotel Jovina in Gboko on Saturday, June 6, but was discovered deceased in his room by Sunday evening.
The hotel manager, Mr. Emmanuel Laha, reported the incident to the “A” Division Police Station at approximately 5:45 p.m. on Sunday. He informed authorities that the tourist had fallen ill on June 7 but refused to seek medical treatment or visit a hospital.
Due to the visitor’s worsening condition and foreign identity, the hotel management arranged for a medical doctor to assess him. Unfortunately, the doctor confirmed that Mr. Gilles had already passed away.
Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer led a patrol team to the hotel, where photographs of the scene were taken as part of the initial investigation.
Police authorities have since launched a formal investigation, and relevant diplomatic channels are being contacted to manage the situation.
Providing an update on Monday, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Catherine Anene Edet stated that the death appeared to be both sudden and unnatural. She confirmed that police officers had visited the hotel promptly upon receiving the alert and transported the victim to a hospital, where he was officially declared dead.
“This is a case of SUD (sudden and unnatural death),” Edet said. “When we received the call, officers responded immediately, and he was taken to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead.”
The body has been deposited at the General Hospital in Gboko for preservation and autopsy. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further inquiry.
