By Amaechi Agbo

The media officer of Nigeria national U-17 male team, the Golden Eaglets, Francis Achi popularly known as Totori Master, was robbed on his birthday Sunday, 19th January, in Makurdi, Benue State capital while on the state capital to cover the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL matchday 16 encounter between Lobi Stars of Makurdi and Dakkada FC of Uyo, Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report

Totori Master, was due to cover the match on Sunday after arriving Saturday evening and lodged in his hotel room at City Gate Hotel, Amoakachi Lane, Makurdi. He was looking forward to celebrating his birthday in style. Unfortunately, the men of evil mind had another plan for him.

Narrating his ordeal on Sunday, January 19, his birthday, Totori Master said that he was in his hotel room and after singing praises and saying night prayers, the robber invaded his room through the window in the wee hours of the day and made away with his phone.

According to him, “I was robbed inside my hotel room at Makurdi. It was around 3.30am. I am in Makurdi to cover NPFL game between Lobi Stars and Dakkada FC of Uyo. I just finished night vigil of singing praises to God for the grace to celebrate another birthday. I then posted – the birthday groove on my Facebook pages @ Francis Achi and Totori Master few minutes past 3.00am.Slept for about 10 minutes, only for me to be woken up at about 3.30am by strange movement of my phone and power bank towards the window.

“I switched off the Samsung Galaxy A 30 to charge it, but the thief used a stick to drag both the phone and the power bank after he opened the window. The room was at the ground floor. Suddenly, I woke up and I quickly dragged the power bank back to the room, but the phone was gone. I reported the matter at the police station in Makurdi around 7.30 am and they have arrested some staff of the hotel that were on duty last night (Sunday 19). I still thank God for my life. I trust Him to perfect everything that concerns this matter. The devil cannot steal my joy in Jesus name, amen,” he said.

City Gate Hotel as Criminals Hideout Preliminary investigations by the Makurdi Police Command, indicate that City Gate Hotel, Amoakachi Lane, is a haven for criminally minded elements in the state.However, the management of the hotel are not reportedly unaware of this heinous act.

A source told this paper that although the arrested staff of the hotel have not made confessional statements, the police have mapped out strategy to stamp out criminal elements within the area. Some of the strategies include informing the Nigeria Police Force authority in Abuja, holding a meeting with top management of hotels within the area to alert them on the danger ahead and the need for them to be extra vigilant while warning them against compromise to harbour criminals in their guest houses. The hotels around the vicinity have been marked as criminal hideout and the police are determined to rid the area of such unwanted elements.

I escaped a fata tragedy – Totori Master

Narrating his experience with Bestchoicesports.com.ng Editor, Amaechi Agbo, on the robbery incident, Totori Master who is a renowned journalist and publisher of Totorinews.com, said he escaped from what could have been a fatal tragedy.

“My brother. It was not funny. In fact, I escaped a fatal tragedy. I give God all the glory because He is the only one who can protect us. “I had visited the police station few times to get report and in one of my visits, I was told that I should thank God for saving me. Funny enough, the hotel is in a busy street, not a hidden place.

“But they operate like a gang and when they come to attack or rob someone and the person tries to fight or resist them, they will shoot the person and when they shoot the person, it will then look like a cult fight. A cult group against another.

“I also discovered that the place is a flash point. Criminal activities have really gone high there and they attack as it pleases them. And when they attack, it won’t be funny.

“I thank God for everything because He was in control. What if the attacker had shot me as I woke up to drag the power bank with him? God forbid. I thank God for his grace.” he said