Nigerian Army Yet To Fish Out Soldiers Who Killed Hotel Manager, Achimugu In Abia Five Months Ago

Five months after late Achimugu James Etubi, a manager of Hotel Royal Damgrete, Umuahia, Abia State was brutally killed by the soldiers of the Nigerian Army, authorities have yet to hand over suspects to police for prosecution, Newsmen has learnt on Wednesday.

Security sources told Newsmen on Wednesday that no single soldier had been held to account for the killing of the poor hotel manager despite all the officers and soldiers involved known.

“This is preposterous. All the soldiers and even the Cadet Officer that reportedly hit Etubi are still in their duty posts while the children and widow of Etubi are struggling to survive as a result of murder of their breadwinner,” the source said.

Newsmen reported on April 13, that Etubi from Kogi State was the head of the food and beverage department of the hotel located on Factory Road, and was tortured to death by the soldiers on April 12, 2024 at the military barracks.

The soldiers led by one Major Inuwa, reportedly killed Etubi, after he volunteered information to the police on the circumstances surrounding the death of the Nigerian Air Force Tarmac Four Cadet Officer, Emmanuel Chidiebere Onyemereneche.

Late Cadet Officer Chidiebere, a student of the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA), who was on holiday at the time, had gone to the Hotel Royal Damgrate on Tuesday April 9 with his close friend, another Cadet Officer Valentine Obeji for relaxation. But few hours after they arrived the hotel, Chidiebere was reportedly drowned in the Hotel swimming pool.

However, Newsmen reported that an autopsy result has ruled out drowning speculation, noting that the young officer was likely murdered and thrown into the swimming pool to cover up the killing and divert attention.

According to the autopsy, Newsmen obtained, Chidiebere died as a result of intracranial haematoma and skull fracture at occipital and right parietal region.

Part of the autopsy result reads: “We certify the cause of death in our opinion to be: 1a. Intracranial Haematoma; 1b. Skeletal Injury (Skull Fracture – Occipital & Right Parietal Region) and 1c. Soft Tissue Injury (Blunt Head Trauma – Occipital Region).

“Summary of Cause of Death: Following the sudden blunt injury (soft tissue injury) at the back of the neck with consequent formation of subcutaneous haematoma and fracture as stated above, there is likely damage to vasomotor/baroreceptor centres and nerve roots as the area is very prone to injury.””These structures control the cardiovascular and respiratory centres and could have accounted for sudden death seen,” it reads.

Newsmen had reported that the Nigerian Army led by one Major Inuwa who was reportedly investigating the death of Chidiebere ordered soldiers including one of the Cadet officers who came with late Chidiebere to the hotel swimming pool to beat four hotel staff that were invited for interrogation to the military barracks to stupor.

In the process, the Cadet officer hit Etubi at the back neck region of head and he slumped and died, a reliable source who witnessed the incident had told Newsmen.

Following outrage, both the Nigerian Army and Defence Headquarters, issued media statements that a thorough investigation would be carried out to unravel the circumstances surrounding the gruesome murder of Etubi.

On April 14, then Acting Director Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, in statement said that if any of its personnel is found culpable in the death of the manager, such personnel will face the full wrath of the law.

Gusau said no stone would be left unturned to unravel the actual circumstances that led to his death.
In a similar statement the Nigerian Army had said it was deeply concerned by the alleged “unprofessional conduct” of some of its personnel in the tragic death of the hotel manager.

The NA in a statement issued by the Director, Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, had ordered a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the facts and bring anyone found culpable to book.

Despite all the media assurances, security sources and family of the deceased Etubi told Newsmen on Wednesday that the Nigerian military has not handed over the principal suspects to the police for prosecution for the murder of the poor hotel manager, more than five months after the brutal and senseless murder.

“It is unimaginable and inconceivable that more than five months after an innocent man with family and children was brutally murdered in broad daylight, the soldiers and officers are being shielded by Army authorities, yet tomorrow same Army will ask Nigerians to support them,” said a family member of the deceased Etubi.

Newsmen had reported also that the family of late Cadet Officer Chidiebere had accused the security agencies of showing indifference to the investigation of the murder of their son after the autopsy report was released.