Cult Anniversary: Police launch manhunt for killers of hotel manager in Kwara

The Kwara State Police Command said it has commenced an investigation into the gruesome murder of Anthony Balogun, the manager of Febby Kay Suites, Olunlade area, Ilorin, weekend. The victim said to be around 43 years old, was matcheted and shot by the suspected cultists who asked after the manager. “Believing they were prospective customers, […]

The Kwara State Police Command said it has commenced an investigation into the gruesome murder of Anthony Balogun, the manager of Febby Kay Suites, Olunlade area, Ilorin, weekend.

The victim said to be around 43 years old, was matcheted and shot by the suspected cultists who asked after the manager.

“Believing they were prospective customers, the deceased came out of his room to meet them at the reception.

“The assailants then lured him outside the reception area and first macheted him they were unable to harm him.

• N/Assembly ‘ll create more opportunities for youths — Barau
• Paediatricians seek 6-month maternity leave for breastfeeding mothers

“They then shot him at close range in the chest and attacked him with machetes, inflicting severe injuries on his head, hands, and legs”, our correspondent had earlier reported.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Victor Olaiya, said the case is suspected to be related to the 8/8 cultists festival.

“During the 7/7 festival, we had adequate preparation and for the first time in years, there was no single incident of killing this year in Kwara. But this 8/8 is new to us and it coincided with the period of the nationwide protest. But we have made arrests and the investigation is ongoing,” Olaiya said.

Speaking with City & Crime, the elder sister of the deceased, Mrs Ojo Grace, said what was suspicious was that all his friends with him that day left a few minutes before the incident.

She said “Anthony is the only male child among our mother’s children and was managing the hotel for her.

“As regards whether he was a cultist, what I can say is that my brother was easygoing and hard working. Being a female, he doesn’t usually tell me everything. So, I can’t say whether he was among them or not”. But the police have arrested some suspects,” she added.

When our correspondent visited the hotel weekend, the place was still under lock and deserted.