Jane Otu, South East
DAILY COURIER – The Anambra State Government has uncovered over 30 secret graves at a hotel allegedly used as a base for kidnapping and other criminal activities. The shocking discovery was made during an operation to demolish the property as part of the government’s intensified crackdown on crime in the state.
The hotel, identified as Udoka Golden Point Hotel and Suites, also known as “La Cruise Hotel,” is located along the Onitsha-Owerri Road in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area. Under the guise of a legitimate hospitality business, the facility reportedly served as a den for heinous activities, including the detention of kidnap victims.
The chilling discovery of the graves, each carefully partitioned, points to the extent of the atrocities allegedly committed at the site. The graves are believed to have been used to bury victims of kidnappers operating from the hotel. Authorities are yet to confirm the exact number of bodies found or the identities of the victims, but investigations are ongoing.
“This is beyond criminal; it’s horrifying,” a source close to the operation said. “The hotel was a façade for a network of kidnappers who not only held their victims there but also disposed of those they could no longer extort or release.”
In a statement issued on Saturday by the Anambra State New Media, the government reiterated its commitment to eradicating criminal elements in the state. Governor Charles Soludo has vowed to spare no effort in making Anambra a safe place for residents and visitors.
“This discovery underlines the importance of our ongoing operations against crime. We will not tolerate such acts of barbarism in our state,” the statement read.
The demolition of the building serves as both a symbolic and practical step in the fight against criminal activities in the region. The state government has urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities in their communities.
News of the secret graves has sent shockwaves across Anambra and beyond. Many residents have expressed outrage, calling for swift justice against the perpetrators.
“This is unthinkable. We must ensure that those behind this atrocity are brought to justice,” said a local community leader.
Others have commended the government’s proactive measures in addressing the security challenges facing the state.
Law enforcement agencies have cordoned off the area and launched a full investigation to identify those behind the operation. Forensic experts are expected to examine the graves to determine the number of victims and gather evidence for prosecution.
The Anambra State Police Command has assured the public that all leads will be pursued to ensure justice is served.
The grim discovery underscores the need for continued vigilance and community cooperation in the fight against crime. The government’s efforts to rid the state of criminal activities highlight the urgency of addressing the root causes of insecurity in the South-East region.
For now, the ruins of the demolished hotel stand as a haunting reminder of the horrors hidden in plain sight and the lengths to which criminal networks will go to cover their tracks.
