Police in Abuja are investigating the death of a man whose body was found under a bridge on the Kubwa Expressway after he allegedly checked into a hotel with a married woman, the Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police said on Saturday.
Commissioner Ahmed Sanusi said the man, whose identity was not released, had been reported missing by his family before his body was discovered under the Katampe Bridge on Saturday. Initial media reports had linked the discovery to a suspected kidnapping or “one-chance” robbery.
Police said the investigation shifted after discovering the man’s mobile phone was missing.
“The deceased’s mobile phone was missing. This became a significant lead,” Sanusi told reporters at the FCT Command headquarters.
Investigators traced the man’s last communication to a woman identified as Rukayat Muhammed of Garki Area 2, whom police allege was in a romantic relationship with him and had saved his contact as “Safiyat” on her phone.
Sanusi said Muhammed and the deceased had lodged at Good Samaritan Guest House on Second Avenue, Gwarimpa.
According to police, Muhammed discovered the man was no longer breathing and left the hotel with his mobile phone instead of alerting authorities.
“Rather than immediately reporting the incident to the police, the suspect took the deceased’s mobile phone and left the hotel,” Sanusi said.
Several hours later, hotel staff entered the room after failing to reach the occupants and found the body, police said.
Two hotel workers, identified as Ibrahim Omeiza and Kefat Bitrus, then allegedly removed the body and dumped it by the roadside under the bridge, Sanusi said.
Police have not determined the cause of death. Sanusi said an autopsy and further investigations were underway and cautioned against speculation.
“The exact cause and circumstances of the deceased’s death are still under investigation,” he said, adding that anyone found culpable in the death or concealment of the body would face prosecution.