A French tourist has been found dead in a hotel room in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigerian authorities confirmed on Monday, June 9.
The deceased, identified as 67-year-old Pietier Gilles, was reportedly on a long-distance cycling tour and had entered Nigeria from Niger Republic on May 19. He lodged at Hotel Jovina in Gboko on Friday and was discovered dead in his room on Saturday, according to reports by counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama.
Emmanuel Laha, manager of Hotel Jovina, reported the incident to local police on Sunday. According to Laha, the tourist had fallen ill on June 7 but declined medical treatment despite his worsening condition. Concerned by his deteriorating health, hotel staff arranged for a medical practitioner to examine him, but Gilles was pronounced dead upon assessment.
Benue State Police spokesperson, Udeme Edet, confirmed the incident, stating that the Divisional Police Officer led a team to the hotel to document the scene and evacuate the body. Photographs were taken, and Gilles’ remains were transported to the General Hospital in Gboko for preservation and an autopsy.
Preliminary information suggests there was no foul play, but police say investigations are ongoing. Authorities await the results of the autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
