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By Sunday Ani
The management of Avista Beach Resort has cleared the air on the kidnapping rumour against it and the circumstances that led to the death of a fun seeker in their facility.
This was contained in a statement by the management of the Resort.
Part of the statement read: “Our dear esteemed and valued customers and the public, we thank you so much for your concern, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends affected by the tragic incident that occurred last Saturday at the beach. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time.
“Given the seriousness of the matter, it is very imperative for us to make some very important clarifications by stating the sequence of events and timelines on that fateful day, in order to correct some misconception and misrepresentation of facts, as being propagated against our establishment in the media space.
“The deceased, accompanied by 14 others, including his girlfriend, arrived at our establishment, Avista Resort, around 7:30pm on Saturday, February 17, 2024, for an evening at our Resort. They were given access to our Resort because they came with hand tags from the hotel next to us, with whom we have an agreement to allow their guests to have access to our Resort. However, they brought their own foods and beverages, which was against our policy, but the manager eventually allowed them to bring in the items after so much pleading.
“The deceased and his friends sat at one of our Cabanas. After some time, they decided to proceed further to the Beach Front. It is worth noting that signage on our premises clearly indicates the absence of lifeguards, and visitors are advised to exercise caution, particularly during night time hours when tidal currents may vary.
“At approximately 9:00pm on the same day while they were bound to return to their hotel which was nearby, they realised that the deceased was not among them, they went back to the Beach Front to search for him but couldn’t find him. Eventually, the group, including the deceased girlfriend, left the resort without seeing him.
“Once again, please note that neither the deceased nor his friends lodged or had accommodation at our Resort.
“The following morning, the family returned with law enforcement officers, alleging that their brother had been kidnapped by Avista. We wish to emphasise that such accusations are unfounded and deeply regrettable.
“Throughout our operational history, an incident of this nature has never happened, and we remain committed to upholding the highest standards of hospitality and security, as a leading brand in the hospitality industry.
“Currently, the matter is still under investigation by the Nigerian police. The deceased’s body was tragically discovered at another beach front about six kilometers from Avista Beach Resort, it will undergo a thorough autopsy.
“While we await the conclusion of the authorities’ inquiry, we want to assure everyone that Avista Resort will vigorously pursue legal action against any party engaged in defamatory or malicious behaviour, ensuring that justice is served.
“Once again, our deepest sympathies go out to all those affected by this devastating loss.”
