Key Facts
—Who Matthew Uwuigbe, a lecturer at Ambrose Alli University (AAU), died in a hotel room. Business Day reports that he was in medical laboratory science.
—What Police say he was found dead when a woman returned from an errand. Three people were arrested, and no cause of death has been announced.
—Where The hotel is in the Mosco area of Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria. His body was deposited at the Oriaifo Memorial Hospital mortuary, according to Premium Times.
—When The Edo State Police Command says it received the report on Monday, 5 October 2026. Reports about the case were published on 7 October 2026, and some outlets place the death on Sunday.
—As of 7 October 2026, 18:30 GMT
A lecturer at Ambrose Alli University (AAU) in Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria, was found dead in a hotel, and police have arrested three people. Police say they received the report on Monday, 5 October 2026, and many readers in the United States have family, study or business ties to Nigeria.
What We Know
Matthew Uwuigbe, a lecturer at Ambrose Alli University, died in a hotel in the Mosco area of Ekpoma, in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State. Business Day reports that he was in medical laboratory science.
Edo State Police Command spokesperson Eno Ikoedem said the command received the report on Monday, 5 October 2026. According to police, the lecturer checked into the hotel and engaged a 21-year-old woman, whom police describe as a sex worker.
Police say he sent her out to buy water. When she returned, she found him dead in the room, according to the police account.
Police arrested three people: the hotel owner, the hotel manager and the woman. Business Day says the arrests are part of efforts to establish what led to the death.
None of the three has been reported as charged with anything so far. They are in custody as part of the investigation, and nobody has been convicted of any offence.
The body was deposited at the Oriaifo Memorial Hospital mortuary, Premium Times reports. Business Day describes the hospital mortuary only in general terms.
AAU spokesperson Mike Aladenika confirmed that Mr Uwuigbe is a member of staff and said the incident happened outside the institution, as quoted by Premium Times. He said: “We are not denying that he is our staff, but whatever he did and what happened, it is his private life.”
Mr Aladenika also said the woman is not a student of the university. That is the university’s position, and it is separate from anything the police investigation may establish.
What Is Not Known
The cause of death has not been announced. Police say the circumstances of the death remain unclear and are still being investigated.
Some Nigerian outlets have used headlines that suggest a cause. Police have not said so, and this report does not draw that conclusion.
It is also not known whether any charges will follow for anyone. No further official findings have been published.
The name of the hotel has not been disclosed in the reports we reviewed. The exact time of the death has not been given, and outlets differ on when police received the report.
What It Means for Travelers and US Readers
For readers in the United States, the official line so far comes from the Edo State Police Command and the university, and both describe a case still under investigation. Until a medical examination is published, any statement about the cause of the Edo lecturer death should be treated as unconfirmed.
Many American readers have family, study or business ties to Nigeria and follow campus and policing stories from Edo State. Those with links to Ekpoma will want to rely on police and university statements rather than on social media talk.
This report is not a security alert for travellers. It simply records what police and the university have said so far.
The coming days should show whether police announce a cause of death and whether the status of the three people held changes. Related Nigeria coverage includes our report on the Ondo military plane crash and the story of the Bayelsa murder suspect who died in court. More is in our Nigeria section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Matthew Uwuigbe?
He was a lecturer at Ambrose Alli University in Ekpoma, Edo State. Business Day reports that he was in medical laboratory science.
What caused his death?
The cause has not been announced. Police say the circumstances of the death remain unclear and are still being investigated.
Who has been arrested?
Police arrested the hotel owner, the hotel manager and a 21-year-old woman. They are in custody as part of the investigation, and none has been reported as charged.
What has the university said?
AAU spokesperson Mike Aladenika confirmed that he is a staff member and said the incident happened outside the institution. He said the woman is not a student and called the matter “his private life”.
Sources: Premium Times · BusinessDay.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
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