• Govt, Army pledge full probe

Okwuta-Ibeku community in Umuahia North Local Council of Abia State, yesterday, trooped out to the government house in protest against the drowning of their son and an officer-cadet at Hotel Royal Damgrete’s swimming pool in Umuahia.

The Abia State born officer-cadet, Emmanuel Onyeomereneche, was reportedly found dead in the swimming pool of the hotel last week.It was gathered that the incident also led to the death of one of the Hotel Managers named Achimugu James Atumbi.

The protesters, who wielded placards with various inscriptions, called for investigations to unravel the cause of the death, stressing that anybody found culpable should be brought to book.

The protesters comprising the Public Relations Officer of Okwuta-Isieke Autonomous Community, Mr. Chibuzor Onwukamuche, head of the drowned officer-cadet family, Prince James Onyeomereneche and the woman leader, Mrs. Happiness Ebere, said they came to register their grievances to the Governor over the death of their son, who would have been commissioned by July.

“We do not believe that our late son, with his training as an upcoming naval officer, could have drowned in an ordinary swimming pool,” they said.

The protesters accused his unnamed friend and the hotel management for complacency in the matter. Addressing the protesters, Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Security Matters, Navy Commander MacDonald Uba (retd) assured them that there would be proper investigations to unravel the cause of the death of the cadet officer.

He described the incident as unfortunate. He said: “ It is unfortunate that a cadet officer of the Nigeria Defence Academy was found dead in a swimming pool in Damgrete. We know how much it takes the Federal Government to train one cadet officer.”

Reacting, spokesperson for Abia State Police Command, ASP Maureen Chinaka, said: “On April 12, a report was received at Umuahia by the Director of Hotel Royal Damgrete, alleging that four military personnel came to their hotel, took away four of his staff, and beat them, resulting in various degrees of injuries.

“One of the staff, James Etubi, slumped and was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead by a doctor.

“His body has been deposited at the hospital mortuary following the death of a cadet officer who drowned during swimming at the hotel pool on April 9.

“Detectives have visited the hospital, taken pictures of the deceased and the body is undergoing autopsy, while discreet investigation is ongoing.”

Meanwhile, the Director, Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu has indicated that the Nigerian Army will investigate the personnel allegedly involved in the incident.

According to him, the Nigerian Army (NA) is deeply concerned by the alleged unprofessional conduct of some of its personnel in the tragic death in a hotel in Umuahia, Abia State.

He extended his condolences to the families of the deceased Manager, Mr Etubi and the officer-cadet, Onyeomereneche and assured the public that every effort will be made to ensure that justice is served.