- Safiu Kehinde
Anambra state government has demolished Udoka Golden Point Hotel following the discovery of 30 shallow graves and a shrine within the building.
As seen in a post on X, the hotel popularly known as La Cruise Hotel was located along Owerri-Onitsha road.
It was suspected to be den of kidnappers with over 30 luxurious graves and a shrine situated on its last floor.
Following the discovery by the security operatives and local residence, the two-storey hotel was brought down with its demolition captured in a video shared on X on Tuesday.
According to reports, the building operating under the guise of a hotel was busted after a tip-off by a whistleblower and due intelligence gathered.
Also discovered during the demolition were military camouflage, arms and cartridges.
While it cannot be ascertained if corpse were found in the discovered grave, Christian Aburime, the Press Secretary to the Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, said investigations were still ongoing and would be communicated in due course.
He disclosed that the demolition of the hotel is in accordance to the Anambra State Homeland Security Law.
“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.
“The raid followed credible information from concerned members of the public 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. Quite a number of incriminating items were also found there.” he told newsmen.
The southeast has overtime experienced increase in kidnapping and other related crimes while the rein of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) insurgents persists.