•Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun
Hotels in Nigeria, which were once known for relaxation, hospitality, and business, are increasingly becoming crime hotspots.
From kidnapping and armed robbery to ritual killings and human trafficking, hotels have become hunting grounds for criminals who exploit security lapses, corruption, and weak regulatory oversight, reports Saturday Independent.
While recent events in Anambra State have received national attention, the troubling reality is that this crisis is not limited to a single state.
Across Nigeria, similar reports of heinous crimes in hotels continue to emerge, raising concerns about the hospitality industry’s integrity and law enforcement effectiveness.
Hotels, due to their transient nature, provide an ideal hideout for criminals. The anonymity of guests, lax security measures, and, in some cases, the complicity of hotel staff create an ideal breeding ground for crime.
In many cases, criminals use hotels as gathering places for illegal transactions, safe houses for kidnappers, or even slaughter slabs for ritual killings. Some hotels have been identified as fronts for human trafficking, prostitution rings, and even organ harvesting syndicates. The recent discovery of over 30 makeshift graves and a shrine within a hotel in Anambra is just one of many bleak examples.
Even more concerning is the increasing evidence of direct hotel involvement in crimes.
Some hotel owners intentionally rent out rooms to criminals or engage in fraudulent activities themselves. The presence of Internet fraudsters (also known as Yahoo Boys), ritualists, and armed robbers in hotels across the country suggests a widespread issue that goes beyond a few isolated incidents.
Many hotels in Nigeria operate without adequate security infrastructure. Basic security measures, such as working CCTV cameras, metal detectors, and trained security personnel, are frequently absent. In some cases, hotel guest logs are not properly kept, making it difficult to track down suspicious individuals. Some hotels fail to verify guests’ identities, allowing criminals to check in using forged identities or even underage victims for illegal activities.
The hotel industry in Nigeria is largely unregulated. While some states have laws requiring hotels to register with the government, compliance is low and enforcement is limited.
Mr. Don Onyenji, Anambra State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, revealed that the demolished Golden Points Hotels and Suites in Oba was never registered with the state government. If a hotel can operate illegally without being investigated, it raises serious concerns about the regulatory framework in other states.
Hotels sometimes operate in secret to avoid paying taxes and licensing fees. Many of these unregistered establishments are in remote locations, making it even more difficult for authorities to monitor their activities.
The complicity of some law enforcement officials has exacerbated the situation. Rather than shutting down criminal networks operating within hotels, corrupt officers take bribes to turn a blind eye. This emboldens criminals, making hotels safer for them and more dangerous for law-abiding citizens.
There have also been cases where officers respond slowly to distress calls from hotel guests, allowing criminals to escape before help arrives. Some hoteliers have complained that when they report suspicious activities, they are either ignored or threatened by criminal gangs operating within their establishments.
With Nigeria’s economic downturn, the desire for wealth has led to an increase in ritual killings. Many young men, particularly Internet fraudsters, believe that making human sacrifices will help them achieve financial success. The link between Yahoo Boys and ritual killings has been widely reported, with many of these incidents occurring in hotel rooms.
Unlike traditional neighbourhoods, where residents can easily identify and report suspicious individuals, hotels offer a high level of anonymity. This enables criminals to operate undetected, making it difficult for authorities to intervene before it is too late.
The recent events in Anambra have been shocking, but they are not unique. In Nigeria, there have been reports of ritual killings linked to high-end hotels, with victims’ body parts harvested for money-making rituals in Abuja.
Hotels in Ikeja and Lekki, Lagos, have been raided for allegedly housing Internet fraudsters and sex traffickers. In one instance, a hotel was discovered to be housing underage girls trafficked from rural areas.
In 2019, a serial killer who targeted women in hotels was arrested after strangling and leaving their bodies behind.
Also, a hotel in Abeokuta was shut down after security agents uncovered a syndicate using the premises for human trafficking and organ trade, while police uncovered a hotel where young women were kept against their will and forced into prostitution by a syndicate.
Another incident occurred at a Delta State hotel, which was sealed after a raid revealed its involvement in an illegal baby factory where teenage girls were forced to give birth for child trafficking purposes. These cases demonstrate that no part of Nigeria is immune to this disturbing trend.
To combat rising criminal activity in hotels, both government and private sector stakeholders must take immediate action.
The government must ensure that all hotels are registered and subject to regular inspections. Other states must enact strict laws to regulate the hospitality industry, as Anambra has done.
Hotels must invest in modern security technologies, which include:
CCTV surveillance in all public areas, biometric or digital check-ins to track visitors, metal detectors, and body scanners at entry points.
Also, well-trained security personnel with rapid response capabilities, emergency distress buttons in hotel rooms for immediate alerts to security agencies must be available.
Residents must be encouraged to report suspicious hotel activities. More awareness campaigns should be conducted on the dangers of ritual killings, human trafficking, and Internet fraud.
The government must impose harsher penalties on hotel owners and staff found guilty of aiding and abetting crimes. Quick prosecution and strict sentencing will serve as a deterrent.
Police officers and other security agencies must also be trained to handle hotel-related crimes professionally. Anti-corruption measures must also be enforced to ensure officers are not compromised.
There is need for hotels to require to verify and keep records of guests, including their names, phone numbers, valid IDs, and check-in/check-out times. The data should be shared with security agencies to help track criminal activities.
The transformation of Nigerian hotels from places of comfort to crime scenes is a national emergency. While recent events in Anambra have shed light on the issue, it is clear that the problem is widespread.
Unless immediate action is taken, more lives will be lost, and the hospitality industry will continue to suffer. The government, hotel owners, and security agencies must work together to restore the integrity of Nigeria’s hotels, ensuring that they are safe spaces for travellers, tourists, and businesspeople, rather than slaughterhouses for unsuspecting victims.
The time to act is now.
