IHVN Staff Found Dead in Abuja Hotel Room

IHVN Staff Found Dead in Abuja Hotel Room

By: Zagazola Makama

A staff member of the Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria (IHVN), Meshach Thomas Panwal, was found dead in his hotel room at Grand Pella Hotel, Durumi, Abuja, on March 7, 2025.

According to sources, the deceased had checked into Room 224 alongside colleagues attending a seminar. His body was discovered at about 12:00 p.m. by his colleagues, prompting an immediate report to the Durumi Police Division by the hotel’s Chief Security Officer (CSO), Orlando Okpete.

Police detectives visited the scene and conducted preliminary investigations. No marks of violence were found on his body. Among the items recovered from the room were: Various medications in an H-Medix leather bag, an Omron blood pressure monitor and other Personal belongings

Sources revealed that Panwal had complained of a headache the previous day and had gone for medical treatment before returning to his room.

His sudden death has been classified as Sudden and Unnatural Death (SUD) pending further medical certification.

His remains were evacuated to the Federal Medical Center, Jabi, while his brother, Joseph Panwal, an official of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), was notified.

The family, not suspecting foul play, requested the release of the body for burial, which was granted.

IHVN Staff Found Dead in Abuja Hotel Room