The Sokoto State Government has sealed a hotel where a mother of four, Balkisu Garba was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend.
Sealing off the hotel on Thursday, May 30, 2024, the Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Dr. Jabir Maihula, hinged the decision of the government on the series of complaints by the residents of the area over the immoral activities taking place in the hotel
“Even last week, a woman was killed in the hotel. So because of all these, Governor Ahmed Aliyu directed the immediate closure of the hotel,” he said
Also speaking, the Commissioner of Commerce, Dahiru Haruna, noted that the hotel was not registered by the state government and was operating illegally.
Meanwhile, the State Police Command has arrested the suspect, Saifullah Hassan of Gunmmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
In an interview with newsmen on Thursday, Hassan confessed to have been dating the deceased for long.
“I brought her to a hotel room and we had a minor misunderstanding. She hit me with something on the head and I became furious and slaughtered her,” he said.
“But I am now regretting what I did because the deceased had been my girlfriend for quite a long time.”
The state Police Commissioner, Hayatu Kaigama, while parading the suspect, said that, on May, 24, 2024 at about 06:20 am, One Mr. John, the manager of Ifeoma Hotel Phase 1 Old Airport Area, Sokoto, reported that a woman identified as Balkisu Garba of Gidan Dare behind Jummat Mosque brought into the hotel by an unidentified guest was killed in a hotel room by the same man
On receipt of the report, police operatives from the Old Airport Division led by the DPO swung into action.
The suspect’s bag which was abandoned after the act containing some receipts of payment and 3 mobile phone SIM cards were recovered.
These recoveries led to the identification of the suspect as one Saifullah Hassan ‘M’ of Gummi local government of Zamfara State. Investigation was intensified and the suspect was later traced and arrested in Funtua, Katsina State,” he said.
Kaigama noted that investigation is in progress after which the suspect would be arraigned.
