Police Arrest Tiler Over Death of Hotel Worker in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a tiler, Samuel Net, over the suspected homicide of a hotel worker in the Utako District of Abuja. The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, October 20, 2026, after police received a distress report about suspicious noise and activity on the third floor of a hotel. The command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Sunday, October 25. According to the police, officers attached to the Utako Divisional Police Headquarters responded to the report and proceeded to the hotel to investigate the disturbance.

Upon arriving at the scene, officers reportedly traced the disturbance to Room 301, where they found Samuel Net, who had been hired by the hotel to carry out tiling work, with visible marks of violence on his body. Another man, identified as Joseph Terdoo, a member of the hotel staff, was found lying unconscious on the floor with multiple marks of violence. The police said Terdoo was immediately taken to Wuse District Hospital for medical attention. However, medical personnel reportedly confirmed him dead on arrival. The circumstances surrounding the injuries sustained by both men prompted the police to begin an investigation into the incident.

According to preliminary findings released by the police, investigations indicated that a disagreement between Net and Terdoo escalated into a physical confrontation. The command alleged that during the altercation, Net pushed Terdoo, causing him to fall and strike his head against a wooden object before collapsing. The police have not reported a court finding establishing criminal responsibility, and the circumstances of the incident remain subject to investigation. Net’s arrest is part of the police response to the suspected homicide, as investigators work to establish the full sequence of events that led to the hotel worker’s death.

The FCT Police Command said the investigation would continue to clarify the events leading to the confrontation and determine the appropriate legal steps. The incident has also prompted the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, to caution residents against resorting to violence when disagreements arise. The command urged members of the public to resolve disputes peacefully and avoid taking the law into their own hands. It also encouraged residents to report suspicious activities or emergencies to the nearest police station so that officers can respond promptly and prevent situations from escalating into serious injuries or loss of life.

The death has renewed attention on the potentially fatal consequences of physical confrontations, particularly when disputes escalate without efforts to de-escalate the situation. While disagreements can arise in workplaces and other shared environments, the police have emphasised the importance of peaceful communication and lawful dispute resolution. The FCT Police Command has advised residents to contact the authorities when conflicts become dangerous rather than attempting to settle them through violence. Police investigations into the Utako incident are ongoing, and further information may emerge as officers examine the available evidence and establish the facts surrounding Terdoo’s death.