Authorities have confirmed that a French tourist was found dead in a hotel room in Gboko, headquarters of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State.
The deceased, identified as 67-year-old Pietier Gilles, was on an ambitious long-distance cycling tour and had entered Nigeria from the Niger Republic on May 19.
He checked into Hotel Jovina in Gboko on Friday, June 7, and was discovered deceased in his room the following day, Saturday, June 8, according to a report from the counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama.
Emmanuel Laha, the manager of Hotel Jovina, reported the alarming incident to local police on Sunday, June 9.
Laha stated that Gilles had fallen ill on June 7 but surprisingly declined medical assistance, despite the evident deterioration of his health.
Concerned about his condition, the hotel staff organized for a medical professional to assess Gilles, but he was tragically pronounced dead shortly after the examination.
Spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Udeme Edet, confirmed the details surrounding the incident.
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“Following the report, the divisional police officer led a team to Hotel Jovina to carefully document the scene and facilitate the removal of the body.
“Forensic photographs were taken, and Gilles’ remains were subsequently transported to the General Hospital in Gboko for preservation and an autopsy, which is standard procedure in such cases,” the police explained.
Preliminary investigations suggest that there was no foul play involved in Gilles’ death.
However, the police have stated that they will continue their inquiries to ensure all circumstances surrounding the incident are thoroughly examined.
Authorities are currently awaiting the autopsy results to ascertain the exact cause of death.
The police added that further updates will be provided as the investigation unfolds and more information becomes available.
