… Taskforce to seal
off Hotels for refusal to install CCTV cameras, others
… Suspected Serial killer arrested
…Guest to produce
valid IDs before lodging
Daniel Efe
Rivers
Police Command has confirmed that 8 females have so far been killed by
suspected serial killers in different hotels in Port Harcourt and environs in
the past two months.
Commissioner of Police,
CP Mustapha Dandaura of Rivers State
The
Commissioner of Police, CP Mustapha Dandaura gave the confirmation during press
briefing in Port Harcourt.
He condemned
in the strongest terms, these serial killings and called on all people of
goodwill to rise to the occasion and join the police, as to kick out these
monsters.
He has
linked modus operandi of the serial killings to be ritual and Cult related.
.
He revealed
that “in one of the cases, the actual murder suspect has been arrested and
he is making useful confessions.
He said the suspect
would have been paraded, but the Police is working on clues given by him that
may further aid its investigations.
CP Dandaura recalled
that in the wake of these attacks and bothered by the developments in Port Harcourt, he summoned all hotel owners,
under the aegis of Nigerian Hotels Association (being the umbrella body), where
there was an interface and agreed on the
need for synergy between hotels and law enforcement agencies.
According to
him,” a strong directive to the executive members of the association to
prevail on their members to install Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in
all hotels, guest houses and motels across Rivers State and gave them an
ultimatum of one month, within which to do so or face sanction.”
In pursuance
of that a Taskforce was constituted for that purpose, with the clear mandate to
enforce the directive and bring defaulting hotels to book, including sealing
same for compounding felony. The taskforce is headed by the Assistant
Commissioner of Police, Operations, ACP Valentine Olumese, with members made up
of persons from the association, Department of State Services (DSS) and Rivers
State Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Members of the taskforce include:
ACP Valentine Olumese – ACP, Operations
– 08037080740,CSP Ahijo Lawson – O/C ACU – 08052513939,CSP Victor Perebogha –
O/C SIB – 08033544926,CSP Harrison Akpoguma—O/C Homicide — 08033991781 and DSP
Nnamdi Omoni – PPRO (Secretary) – 08033396538 among others.
The Rivers
Police boss said further that the Taskforce was immediately given the mandate
to, among other things, enforce the following security measures that includes;
the compulsory Installation of functional CCTV cameras in hotels, guest houses
and motels in Rivers State, to cover the reception, corridors and entrances.
“Strict
compliance to check-in and check-out procedures (guests confirmed, phone
details, identity cards, registration of visitors).
“Training
of hotel staff on security and safety tips, in partnership with the police and
other security agencies and Patrol of hotels by the police, especially the
Divisional Anti-Crime Patrols to be seriously engaged by the hoteliers.
All hotels
with swimming pools were directed to ensure that competent life guards are
employed and always available to monitor the activities at the pools and for
pools to remain closed, when no life guards are available, as any death from
the pools will be treated as premeditated murder.
Other
directives include that all cabs operating in and out of hotels, including
airport cabs, must be properly profiled for the safety of guests.
“Short-time
guests or patronage should be discouraged or minimised, as they provide the
breeding ground for perpetrating crimes in hotels.
“All
hotels, guest houses and motels must belong to the association and subscribe to
these security guidelines.”
Guests of
hotels report to be submitted to the Police Intelligence Bureau at the
Divisions or Headquarters weekly.
Dandaura also said all check-out guests will be required to adhere strictly to the hotel check-in and check-out procedures, including ensuring that their h are given due security clearance before leaving.
READ ALSO: Police confirm another woman rescued from strangulation from Serial killer in a hotel in Rumuokoro last night
Regrettably,
he said “it has come to my notice and utter shock that some hotels are yet
to comply with my directive. Hence, my order to arrest the manager,
receptionist and desk officers of the two hotels, where two separate murders
were recorded. They will be investigated and if found culpable, will be charged
for culpable homicide.”
So far, we
have made substantial progress in the investigation of these killings.
He appeal to
the people of Rivers State to remain calm. The command is on top of it and will
spare no efforts in dealing with the criminal elements.
The Police
boss assured that wicked attempts at undermining the efforts of the Command
will be resisted and the brains behind them shall be shamed publicly, as they
face the full weight of the law.
The public
is further enjoined to discountenance and disregard some sponsored publications
in social and conventional media, intended to over-reach the Rivers State
Police Command. As at the last count, we have recorded only eight verifiable
cases of hotel murders and they are receiving adequate attention, for which the
findings will be made public in due course.
