Protest against hotelier, soldier over killing of youth in Imo

Angry youths took drastic action yesterday, setting ablaze a section of the “Our Guest Hotel” in Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State. This followed the alleged torture and death of a young man named Ebuka Nwneri on Saturday by a hotelier and a soldier.

Reports indicate that Nwneri was subjected to brutal torture and confined to a generator house within the hotel premises, leading to his untimely demise.

According to a community source, Nwneri was accused of stealing a phone belonging to the soldier, who was at the hotel for leisure. Subsequently, he was summoned by the hotelier and the soldier, interrogated, and then subjected to torture before being locked up in the generator house.

The source narrated to Vanguard, “The individuals responsible for torturing and locking up the deceased in the generator house include the hotel owner, a soldier, and another individual. They accused him of stealing the soldier's phone and subsequently subjected him to violence before locking him up, where he eventually died.

This incident has sparked protests among the youths, who are now threatening to vandalize the hotel.”

In response to the situation, the state Police Command has apprehended the hotel owner, identified as Ibe Obasi.

According to Henry Okoye, the State Police Public Relations Officer, “Operatives of Obowo Divisional Headquarters have arrested Mr. Ibe Obasi, 38 years, owner of ‘Our Guest House,’ Umulogho, Obowo. He was allegedly involved in the murder of 25-year-old Ebuka Udemba, an indigene of Umuokpa in Obowo LGA of Imo State.

“Investigations revealed that the victim was tortured and confined inside the generator room of the guest house by the suspect and two others who are currently at large, leading to his suffocation. The suspect has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Owerri, for further investigation, and has provided valuable information that will aid in apprehending all suspects connected to the case.”