- As authorities demolish ‘La Cruise Hotel’
Operatives of the newly unveiled security outfit in Anambra State, Agunechemba, have uncovered over 30 graves and a shrine in a popular hotel located in the Oba community, Idemili South Local Government Area of the State
Consequently, the Anambra State government on Saturday demolished the property, officially registered as Udoka Golden Point Hotel and Suites, but popularly called ‘La Cruise Hotel’, located along the Onitsha-Owerri Road following the discovery of its sinister operations.
According to the authorities, the building operating under the guise of a hotel was busted by security operatives after a tip-off by a whistleblower and robust intelligence gathering.
Reports indicated that during the demolition, security operatives and local authorities made a horrifying discovery of over 30 well-partitioned graves downstairs of the structure, alongside a shrine as well as military camouflage, including arms and cartridges.
But the reports said the authorities have remained silent with no official confirmation whether any corpse was found in the discovered graves or arrests made at the now demolished hospitality hotspot.
However, declining to comment on the ugly development when contacted, Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Community Security, Ken Emeakayi, directed reporters’ inquiries to the Governor’s Press Secretary.
Meanwhile, a statement shared on the Anambra State New Media X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, indicated that the hotel, known as Udoka Golden Point Hotel and Suites, aka “La Cruise Hotel”, was reportedly a hub for kidnappers and other criminals.
Revealing that the hotel had over 30 well-partitioned graves, the statement said; “Oba, Idemili South LGA! Demolition of kidnappers’ den disguised as Udoka Golden Point Hotel and Suites AKA “La Cruise Hotel” along Onitsha-Owerri Road. The hotel has well-partitioned graves of over 30 on the last floor with a shrine!!”
On his part, Christian Aburime, who is the Press Secretary to Governor Soludo, said investigations were ongoing and would be communicated in due course, adding; “Yes, the hotel was demolished as part of Anambra State Homeland Security Law that says any structure or building found to be housing criminals or linked to the issue of kidnapping should be pulled down.”
He further stated thus; “The raid followed credible information from concerned public members about the suspicious activities going on there. During the raid by the security operatives, graves were found on the ground floor of the hotel and some military camouflage and some arms cartridges of guns and so on were also found. Additionally, several incriminating items were also found there.”
He explained that the existing law in the state demanded no matter who the owner of the structure was, if linked to any issue of kidnapping or any form of criminality, it had to be pulled down, adding; “As regards if corpses were found at the discovered graves or if any arrest was made, that I cannot say for now. Investigations are still ongoing and further development shall be made known as they unfold”.
Some reporters, who visited the community on Sunday, observed mixed feelings from residents as some of them raised serious concerns about the prevalence of such criminal spots across the state, while others insisted that there should have been thorough investigations before the authorities carried out the demolition.
Meanwhile, most residents of the area have expressed outrage at the unfortunate development while urging the State government to investigate other suspicious buildings located within the LGA and across the State.
Also contacted on the development, the Spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said, “We don’t have a brief on it.”
In another development on Saturday, the Agunechemba Security Squad raided a kidnappers’ hideout in a brothel at Akwu-Ukwu Oba in the Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
During the operation, two suspected kidnappers were arrested along with five prostitutes in the area, following a tip-off from residents.
The one-storey building that housed the kidnappers and prostitutes was immediately demolished by the security operatives, by Anambra State’s Agunechemba Security Laws.
An operative of the outfit who craved anonymity, said, “We received information that some young men had been visiting the brothel regularly, arriving late in the evening and leaving early in the morning, We kept watch on them, and after confirming the information, our team moved in and apprehended them.”
The operative further confirmed that some members of the gang were still on the run and vowed to track them down. – With The Punch report
