French Tourist Found Dead In Benue Hotel, Police Launch Investigation.
A 67-year-old French tourist, identified as Pietier Gilles, was tragically found dead in a hotel room in Gboko, Benue State, over the weekend, prompting an immediate investigation by the Benue State Police Command.
According to reports, Mr. Gilles, believed to be on a long-distance cycling tour across West Africa, had entered Nigeria from the Niger Republic on 19 May 2025. He checked into Hotel Jovina in Gboko on Friday, 6 June, before his lifeless body was discovered on Saturday, 7 June.
The hotel manager, Mr. Emmanuel Terhide Laha, reported the incident to the “A” Division Police Station in Gboko at approximately 5:45 p.m. on Sunday, 8 June. Sources indicate that the tourist fell ill on 7 June but declined the hotel’s offer to transport him to a hospital. Concerned for his well-being, the hotel staff summoned a medical practitioner to assess his condition. Tragically, Mr. Gilles was pronounced dead shortly after the examination.
The Benue State Police Command has classified the case as a sudden and unnatural death (SUD). “Upon receiving the report, the Divisional Police Officer led a patrol team to the hotel, where photographs of the scene were taken,” stated DSP Udeme Edet, the command’s Public Relations Officer, in an exclusive interview on Monday, 9 June. “The victim was rushed to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead.”
The body of Mr. Gilles has been transferred to the General Hospital in Gboko for preservation and an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. Initial reports suggest no foul play, but the police are awaiting autopsy results for a definitive conclusion. “The case has been transferred to the State CID for further investigation,” DSP Edet added, assuring the public that all relevant diplomatic channels are being engaged to ensure proper handling of the matter.
When contacted for comment, the hotel manager, Mr. Emmanuel Laha, explained that he had been out of town during the incident and was returning to Gboko. “I have not been around because I travelled, so I don’t have full details of the incident. However, the owner of the hotel is present and must have taken all necessary steps,” he said.
The sudden death of the French national has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident, with the police pledging to provide further updates as the investigation progresses. The loss of Mr. Gilles, a visitor exploring the region, is a sombre reminder of the unpredictability of life, and authorities are working diligently to bring clarity to this tragic event.
