UNICAL staff drowns in hotel swimming pool

A staff of the University of Calabar, UNICAL, identified simply as Mr Ubong has drowned in the swimming pool of a hotel located along MCC Road, Ikot Uduak at Akai Efa, Calabar Municipal Local Government Area of Cross River State.

It was gathered that Ubong, 41, who works in the Registrar’s office at UNICAL, had gone to the hotel on Monday evening, February 21, to swim after work. His lifeless body was found floating in the swimming pool in the early hours of Tuesday. 

“Ubong came to the hotel to cool off himself because of the intense heat we are experiencing in Calabar. While at the hotel, he went to buy some drinks and food at the bar. He did not even pay the barman but he dropped off his phone and went to the pool without informing anyone,” an eyewitness, Johnson Ekpong told Punch 

“It was at about 2:00 am, when the barman was rendering his account, that he realised someone hasn’t paid his/her bills and that was Mr Ubong.

“Showing concern, the barman raised the alarm and the manager and other staff of the resort started looking for Ubong. They went around the premises only to find his clothes by the poolside.

“They searched in the pool but could not find him at that time. The following morning, they went into the swimming pool again but didn’t find him and everybody was worried.

“But at 12 noon on Tuesday, they saw his body floating on top of the swimming pool. They quickly called in the police who came in and arrested the manager and the barman and took them to the Divisional Police Station (Division B) at Parliamentary Extension while the owner of the hotel is on the run.” the witness added.

Spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP Irene Ugbo, who confirmed the incident on Wednesday night said they have made some arrest.

The PPRO urged the owner who was now at large to turn himself in.