The Rivers State Police Command has shut down a hotel in Eagle Island Estate, Port Harcourt, following the death of a man identified as Okorite Charles under suspicious circumstances.
The incident occurred on Thursday, August 27, 2026, and reportedly sparked tension at the hotel before operatives from the Azikiwe Police Division arrived and restored calm.
According to Punch, family members and friends of the deceased stormed the hotel after learning of his death and demanded an explanation from the management.
The situation reportedly disrupted activities at the hotel, with the family rejecting the explanation that Charles had fallen from a balcony of a two-storey building at the rear of the premises. They demanded access to the hotel’s CCTV footage to establish what happened.
The deceased’s elder brother, identified as Obomate, said the family was informed of Charles’ death at about 5 a.m. on Thursday.
“I was at home around 5 am when they called me. My younger sister said someone had taken pictures and sent them to her, informing her that my younger brother had died,” he said.
According to him, the family was told that Charles had fallen from the balcony, but they allegedly found no clear evidence at the scene to support the account.
“We were told that he fell from the balcony of a two-storey building at the back of the hotel. We visited the hotel, but we did not see any trace indicating that he fell from the balcony,” Obomate said.
He alleged that the scene showed signs of a possible struggle, including scattered items and traces of blood. He also said a doctor who examined Charles’ body reportedly raised concerns that his injuries were inconsistent with a simple fall.
“What we saw were signs suggesting that someone had struggled or possibly engaged in a fight. The area was scattered, and we also saw traces of blood,” he said.
Obomate further alleged that the doctor observed what appeared to be a deep stab wound to Charles’ stomach, as well as an injury around his neck and other injuries on his body.
He called for a thorough investigation and justice for his brother.
Following the growing tension, police operatives sealed the hotel and directed guests and other occupants to vacate the premises.
A source familiar with the incident, who spoke anonymously, said the police action was likely intended to preserve the scene, prevent possible tampering with evidence and avert further tension.
“As we speak, the hotel has been closed by the police. They asked everybody to vacate the premises. But the family are still there, asking to see the CCTV,” the source said.
The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Blessing Agabe, confirmed the incident, saying Charles was initially taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
According to the police spokesperson, the deceased’s family and friends later took his remains to the hotel to demand an explanation, leading to heightened tension.
“His family and friends then took his remains to the hotel to seek explanation. As the situation became tense, our men arrived there. About five persons, including some persons who were with the deceased the night before and some staff of the hotel,” Agabe said.
She added that the police had sealed the hotel as part of their investigation.
“We (the police) also sealed the hotel as part of our investigation. As I speak with you, the investigation is ongoing to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the incident,” she stated.
