The Delta State Police Command has confirmed the arrest and confession of the manager of Century Home Hotel in Owehlogbo, Isoko North Local Government Area, over the gruesome murder of a 22-year-old Point-of-Sale (POS) operator, Onoriode Bethel, who had been missing since December 2024.
The suspect, identified as Iboirode, reportedly lured Bethel to the hotel under the pretense of settling a financial disagreement before killing her and secretly burying her body within the hotel compound.
Police spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed the chilling details in a statement issued on Tuesday, May 13.
“The suspect murdered Bethel and buried her body on the hotel premises,” Edafe confirmed.
According to preliminary investigations, the murder was allegedly an act of revenge. Bethel had earlier accused Iboirode of defrauding her with a fake bank alert for a transaction worth ₦10,000. Although the money was later recovered, the suspect reportedly believed the accusation had tarnished his image.
Edafe also revealed that Iboirode’s wife, who is now in custody, confessed to knowing about the crime and provided disturbing details.
“My husband called her into the hotel; she was his friend. He invited her around 7 p.m. one evening. I was in our room when he brought her in. I don’t know how he killed her, but around midnight, he told me he had done it,” she reportedly said.
Further investigation uncovered that Iboirode used Bethel’s phone to contact her father and demand a ransom, pretending she had been kidnapped. He also forced her to reveal her POS terminal password before killing her.
“He used her phone to call her father, demanded ransom, and accessed her POS to collect the money. Her remains have since been recovered,” Edafe added.
Bethel’s disappearance on December 13, 2024, had raised concerns in the community. Notably, in March 2025, Iboirode and other hotel staff were previously arrested in connection with the unrelated murder of a hotel guest, Pastor Sunday Ogofohta.
The police say investigations into both cases are ongoing, and they are determined to bring everyone involved to justice.
“This is a tragic and deeply disturbing case,” Edafe stated. “We are committed to uncovering the full truth and ensuring that justice is served.”
