Adamawa orders hoteliers to install CCTV cameras after suspected ritualist beheads lady

Adamawa on Monday gave hoteliers operating in the state a six-week ultimatum to install Close-Circuit Television cameras in their facilities for effective security surveillance and safety of patrons.

The state’s deputy governor, Dr Kaleptapwa Farauta issued the ultimatum at an emergency security meeting she held with hotel proprietors in Adamawa.

She warned that failure to unconditionally comply with the directive would be appropriately sanctioned.

Responding, Mr Samuel Adwata, chairman of the association of hoteliers in Adamawa assured that the directive would be complied with speedily.

Monday’s ultimatum followed Thursday’s beheading of a middle-aged divorcee in a hotel room in Yola by a suspected ritualist.

Police in Adamawa have already arrested some suspects in connection with the beheading of the lady.

Also arrested were three employees of the hotel who were on duty at the time of the incident.

The suspected ritualist allegedly took his victim to the hotel where he was lodged as a guest, and thereafter beheaded her and left the scene with her decapitated head.

Confirming the arrests on Friday, police spokesman in Adamawa, SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, said: “the command has arrested three employees of the hotel and recovered drugs and telephone handset of the lady.

“The drug and handset were recovered at the scene of the crime.

The lady’s ex-husband, Mr Auwal Garba, identified the remains of his estranged wife at a hospital on Friday.

Garba, who confirmed the identity of the deceased to the police, said she was his ex-wife, whom he married about six years ago.

He said the union produced one child but due to some irreconcilable differences he divorced the lady in December, 2023.