IHVN staff found dead in Abuja hotel room

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

Security analyst Zagazola Makama reported that Panwal had checked into Room 224 with colleagues attending a seminar. His body was found around noon, leading the hotel’s Chief Security Officer (CSO) to alert the Durumi Police Division.

Police officers arrived at the scene to conduct preliminary investigations but found no signs of physical harm.

Items recovered from the room included various medications, a blood pressure monitor, and personal effects.

Sources shared that Panwal had complained of a headache the day before, sought medical attention, and then returned to his room.

His death has been categorized as a Sudden and Unnatural Death (SUD) pending further medical evaluation.

Panwal’s remains were taken to the Federal Medical Center in Jabi, and his brother, a Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) employee, was informed.

The family, not suspecting foul play, requested the body for burial, and authorities approved the release.