Bayelsa Hotel Owner Seeks N625m Lodging Debt Against Police SWAT Team

A Bayelsa-based owner of the popular Euphemie Motel in Opu-Nembe in the Nembe Bassambiri community of Nembe local government area has threatened to drag the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to court over the alleged unpaid debt incurred by the Police SWAT team deployed from August 12, 2023, till date.

This was contained in a letter signed by the counsel to the owner of the Euphemie Motel, Inemoye Maxwell Brown dated September 23, 2024 and addressed to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the chairman, Police Service Commission.

According to the council, the lodging debt was incurred by the Police Special Squad, identified as SWAT, led by one CSP, Silas Adebayo, for a reported sting operation in the Opu Nembe community ahead of the last governorship elections in the area.

He said that the SWAT team had allegedly invaded the Opu Nembe community and occupied the Euphemie Motel, turning it into their operational base without due permission from its owners.

Brown noted that the 50-bedroom hotel with lodging fee of N25,000 per night and two conference rooms of N100,000 per day with indoor and outdoor relaxation spots, was occupied by the Police Personnel without payment for over 13 months.