By Ado Oyeyemi
The Cross River State Police Command has released the photograph of a woman found dead in a hotel in Calabar, appealing to members of the public to help identify her and locate the man who reportedly lodged with her.
The woman was discovered dead in a hotel room along Clifford Lane, Calabar South, earlier in September after she reportedly checked into the facility with an unidentified male guest.
In a statement on Wednesday, the command’s spokesperson, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, said the photograph was released to assist the police in identifying the deceased and locating her relatives or associates.
According to the statement, preliminary investigation established that the woman lodged at the hotel alongside a male guest whose whereabouts remained unknown.
The police said efforts were ongoing to locate the man and determine the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death.
The latest development followed an earlier report by the command on September 8 that an unidentified female guest had been found unresponsive in Room 2 of the hotel.
The male guest who reportedly lodged with her was said to have not been properly documented when they checked into the hotel.
The receptionist on duty was said to have discovered the woman after noticing that the door of the room was open. Police investigators who visited the scene reportedly observed apparent marks of violence on her face and neck.
Her body was subsequently taken to the General Hospital, Calabar, where she was confirmed dead and deposited at the mortuary.
The receptionist remains in police custody and is assisting the investigation, particularly with information concerning the admission of the guests and events before the woman was discovered.
The command, however, stressed that the receptionist’s detention should not be interpreted as an indication of guilt, adding that any further action would be based on available evidence and in accordance with the law.
The Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, ordered that the investigation be conducted professionally and objectively to establish the identity of the deceased, determine the circumstances surrounding her death and locate the male guest.
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The police urged anyone who recognises the woman or has information that could assist in locating the man to contact the command’s control room on 0706 797 7330 or 0905 827 3057, or report to the nearest police station.
The command said further information would be released as the investigation progresses.
