Tragedy struck in Katsina metropolis as an officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Assistant Superintendent Lawal Tukur, was discovered dead inside a hotel room under circumstances that have raised serious questions.
The incident occurred on October 15 at Murjani Hotel, according to local reports. Staff at the hotel reportedly found the officer unresponsive in his room around 8:30 a.m. and immediately alerted authorities.
According to sources familiar with the matter, several empty sachets of yet-to-be-identified substances were found in a wastebasket within the room, suggesting possible ingestion of prohibited or controlled items.
Three women were said to have been present at the hotel during the time of the incident. They have been identified as 34-year-old Khadija Ali of Dutsin Amare Quarters, Katsina; Aisha Lawal, 30, from Ingawa Local Government Area; and 22-year-old Hafsat Yusuf, who resides in Brigade Quarters, Kano.
It was gathered that Khadija and Aisha had spent the night with the late officer, while Hafsat reportedly arrived later and also secured a room in the same hotel.
Emergency responders transported the deceased to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Katsina, where a doctor confirmed him dead. His body was subsequently moved to the mortuary, pending an autopsy to ascertain the exact cause of death.
The Nigeria Customs Service has been notified, and investigations are ongoing to uncover the circumstances surrounding the officer’s untimely demise.
At the time of this report, there has been no official statement from the authorities regarding the possible involvement of the women or the nature of the substances found.
