Mr Patrick Awuda, father of Chinyere Awuda, 27, who was found dead at Cosmilla Hotel, Awka, last Monday, has described the loss of his daughter as a huge shock.
Awuda, 79, a native of Nnobi in Idemili South Local Government Area, who spoke to journalists in Awka on Sunday, called on the Anambra State Government and the Nigerian Police to ensure that his daughter did not die in vain.
Chinyere was said to have gone clubbing in a nightclub within the hotel during the birthday party of a young man (currently in detention) on July 16. Found dead in an abandoned swimming pool on the premises the next morning, she was alleged to have died from beating by the birthday celebrant and his friends for a yet-to-be-established cause.
Narrating his ordeal, Elder Awuda said the death of Chinyere had left the family broken.
He said that his daughter who graduated from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, did not deserve to die the way she did and called on relevant authorities to ensure that her killers are brought to justice.
According to him: “On that Monday morning, I called to check on her as she usually does but after several calls, Chinyere did not respond.
“We were later taken to the hotel but were made to wait until 4 pm when a police team came and asked if we wanted to see Chinyere.
“They took us to the abandoned swimming pool and led me in and I saw the lifeless body of Chinyere with physical injuries. They refused to [let us] take pictures and quickly moved her to the morgue.”
He said further: “My daughter is a likeable person, she is not a thief as alleged, no evidence to show that she stole. She is a murder victim, that is why we are calling for a thorough investigation of this matter. “