Lady found dead in Calabar hotel, police search for male guest

A woman was found dead in a hotel room on Clifford Street, Calabar South, Cross River State. She had been staying there with a man whose identity is still unknown.

The police in Cross River State have started an investigation into the case. They are also looking for the male guest who was last seen with her.

ASP Sunday Eitokpah, the Police Public Relations Officer, released a statement on Tuesday in Calabar. He said the hotel director reported the incident around 8 am on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. The director was with the hotel manager and the receptionist on duty when they made the report.

The police statement noted that the man checked into Room 2 of the hotel with the woman. However, his identity was not properly recorded when they arrived.

The statement said, "The Cross River State Police Command has commenced investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of an unidentified female guest at a hotel along Clifford Street, Calabar South. The incident was reported to the Police on 8 September 2026, at about 0800hrs, by the Director of the hotel, accompanied by the Hotel Manager and the receptionist on duty."

"Preliminary investigation revealed that on 7 September 2026, at about 2000hrs, an unidentified male guest reportedly lodged in Room 2 of the hotel with a female companion whose identity is yet to be established. The male guest was allegedly not properly documented at the point of admission," the statement continued.

In the early hours of Monday, the receptionist noticed that the door to Room 2 was open. He thought the guests had checked out. When he entered to turn off the ceiling fan, he found the woman lying unresponsive on the bed.

The statement added, "In the early hours of 7 September 2026, the receptionist reportedly observed that the door to Room 2 was open and, believing that the occupants had checked out, entered the room to switch off the ceiling fan. Upon switching on the light, he reportedly discovered the female guest lying unresponsive on the bed. Investigators who visited the scene observed apparent marks of violence on the face and neck and documented the scene accordingly."

The body was taken to the General Hospital in Calabar. There, the doctors declared her dead and moved her to the mortuary for further investigation. Some tablets were found in her handbag and collected as evidence. The police have not yet linked the tablets to the cause of death.

The Police PRO mentioned that the receptionist is in custody for questioning. They want to find out how the guests were checked in and what happened before the body was found. His detention does not mean he is guilty.

The police are still trying to identify the male guest who was with the woman.

CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, the State Commissioner of Police, has ordered that the investigation be done properly and according to the law. They want to find out who the woman was, how she died, and what role everyone involved played in the incident.

He promised that anyone found responsible would face the law.

The CP urged the public to avoid rumors and false information. He asked anyone with useful information about the woman or the male guest to reach out to the nearest police station.

The police will provide more updates as the investigation continues.