“On Saturday, the 28th of July 2012, at about 6:46pm, I drove into the
new car park under construction at the Oriental Hotel, Ozumba Mbadiwe Street,
Victoria Island, Lagos. The 'Security' guard stationed at the gate; as usual
did not take my plate number, issue me a parking ticket or try to identify the
driver of the car, as normally done with other guests who drive into that
particular car park.”
I had been invited to cover two events; the 'YNaija Hashtag' party and
senator Ita Giwa's daughter's dinner party. Continue to read more at the cut...
After I had finished work at both events at around 11:15pm, I noticed
that my car was not at the spot I had parked it on. I, and the hotel security
men combed the entire car park several times to be sure I did not forget where
I had parked and still did not find my car.
However, an empty carton which I had used to identify my parking space
was at the same spot I parked, but surprisingly, the car wasn't.
I ordered the security men (who were rather dismissive and
un-professional) to take me to their head security officer and security control
room to watch footage of the recordings in the car park. The Chinese men, whose
names I can't recall, seemed un-sure, confused and spoke in their native tongue
amongst themselves while checking for footage; still they were not able to give
me tangible results on camera. I never saw footage of when I drove in or how
and who drove the car out; instead I was shown footage of what was happening in
LIVE time.
My suspicion is that it is the cameras at the car park are dummies;
they do not work, they were not recording at that particular time or the camera
was switched off when the theft took place.
The hotel management did not bother to take my name, personal
contacts, apologize or try to sort out the situation; instead they all backed
out, one after the other, giving flimsy excuses.
I once again asked to see the head of security or a proper management
staff and we were told that the situation was being sorted out and I would not
see anyone until it was sorted.
I was asked by an acquaintance to call the CP of Lagos who asked me to
report the issue to the nearest police station (which was Maroko Police
station). I did and I'm yet to get feedback from the police.
Till now, none of the management staff from Oriental has tried to
reach me and I hear this is not the first case of car theft in the hotel.
This is not in any way acceptable, as a hotel of such magnitude should
be seen to keep guests and their personal property safe.
The car park, which has the company's security men and police officers
assigned to the different floors of the parking lot should be one of the safest
places, if not THE safest place for guest's parked cars”
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