August 05, (THEWILL) — A consultant to the Niger State Government, Gregory Ossai Ozegbe, has died inside a government lodge in Minna, the state capital.
Until his death on Saturday, Ozegbe was the Chief Executive Officer of Castle HMG Hospitality, the consulting firm overseeing the construction of the state-owned five-star Minna Hilton Hotel.
Spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday. He said the police were alerted by the Chief Security Officer of the Government House about the “sudden death” of the guest.
“On the 2nd of August, 2025, at about 9:30 p.m., a report of suspected sudden death was received from the CSO Government House, Minna, indicating that a guest, identified as Gregory, became unconscious in one of the government house lodges. Police operatives attached to the GRA Division moved to the scene, and the guest was rushed to the IBB Specialist Hospital, Minna, where he was later confirmed dead,” Abiodun said.
He added that the body has been deposited at the hospital morgue for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
The 69-year-old, a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, had served as a consultant to various administrations in the state for over two decades.
Meanwhile, Governor Umar Bago has expressed deep shock over the incident.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, the governor described Ozegbe’s passing as a monumental loss to not only his family but to Niger State.
He said the late consultant lived a fulfilled life and would be remembered for his good works and contributions to the state’s development.
While the police await autopsy results, the government said preliminary findings indicated that Ozegbe died of a heart attack.
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