A staff member of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), Meshach Thomas Panwal, was found dead in his hotel room at Grand Pella Hotel, Durumi, Abuja, on March 7, 2025.
Panwal, who was attending a seminar alongside colleagues, checked into Room 224 before his lifeless body was discovered around 12:00 p.m. by his associates. The hotel’s Chief Security Officer, Orlando Okpete, promptly reported the incident to the Durumi Police Division.
Police investigators found no signs of violence at the scene. Items recovered from the room included various medications in an H-Medix leather bag, an Omron blood pressure monitor, and other personal belongings. Sources disclosed that Panwal had complained of a headache the previous day and sought medical treatment before returning to his room.
Authorities classified his death as a Sudden and Unnatural Death (SUD) pending medical confirmation. His remains were transported to the Federal Medical Center, Jabi, while his brother, Joseph Panwal, an official of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), was notified.
The family, suspecting no foul play, requested and received approval for the release of his body for burial.
