David Paradang, former Nigerian Immigration Service boss, under whose watch the NIS recruitment exercise claimed about 20 lives in 2014, is dead.

Mr Paradang died in Joy House Hotel in downtown Abuja on Monday after hosting a woman in his hotel room, the police said, dismissing reports that kidnappers killed him.

“On March 3, 2025, at approximately 12:00 p.m., Mr Parradang arrived at Joy House Hotel, Area 3 Junction, driving a black Mercedes Benz. He checked into the hotel, paying a sum of twenty-two thousand naira (N22,000) for one night’s stay.

“Shortly thereafter, he directed the hotel room attendant to escort a female guest who had come to visit his room. This lady left the hotel premises around 04:00 p.m. of the same day,” the police said in a statement by its spokesperson, Josephine Adeh.

It added, “Mr. Parradang did not exit his room after the lady left. Around 04:00 a.m. of March 4 2025, a friend who is a military officer, concerned for his wellbeing, traced him to the hotel. Upon arrival, the hotel receptionist and the officer proceeded to his room, where Mr Parradang was found deceased, seated in a chair.”

The police said Mr Paradang’s body had been transferred to the National Hospital, Abuja, for necessary procedures, and the hotel staff members were cooperating with officers in the ongoing investigation.

Also, the police authorities said efforts were ongoing to identify the lady who visited the ex-immigration boss.

In 2014, an NIS recruitment exercise conducted under Mr Parrandang’s watch claimed 20 lives after the process resulted in a stampede.

Mr Parrandang ventured into politics after retirement from NIS. He contested a senatorial seat in 2019 and for Plateau governorship in 2023.