French Tourist Found Dead in Benue Hotel Room.

A 67-year-old French national, identified as Pietier Gilles, has been found dead in his hotel room in Gboko Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria.

According to reports by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication covering the Lake Chad region, Gilles was discovered lifeless on Saturday, June 8, at Hotel Jovina, where he had checked in the previous day.

Confirming the incident on Monday, Udeme Edet, spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, said the hotel’s manager, Emmanuel Laha, had reported the death to local police on Sunday.

Laha stated that the deceased had fallen ill on June 7, but refused to be taken to a hospital. Concerned by the worsening state of his health, the hotel staff called in a medical professional to assess him. Unfortunately, Gilles was pronounced dead upon examination.

“Upon receiving the report, the Divisional Police Officer led a patrol team to the hotel. Photographs of the scene were taken, and the body was transported to the General Hospital in Gboko for preservation and autopsy,” Edet told TheCable, citing police sources.

Initial investigations suggest that Gilles had entered Nigeria from Niger Republic on May 19, reportedly traveling on a sports bicycle as part of a long-distance tour. The purpose of his visit is believed to have been recreational, consistent with his identity as a tourist.

Authorities say an autopsy will help determine the exact cause of death.