Police seal Lagos hotel over mysterious death of 29-year-old man

The Lagos State Police Command has sealed Signatious Hotel in the Ajao Estate area of the state following the mysterious death of a 29-year-old man, Mattias Airenekhueme at the facility.

Speaking to punch on Thursday, February 12, a police source, who did not want to be identified confirmed that operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, had sealed the hotel as part of ongoing investigations.

The source added that the organiser of the pool party had also been arrested, bringing the total number of suspects in custody to four.

“The police have sealed the hotel pending an ongoing investigation into the incident. The organiser of the pool party is also currently in police custody,” the source added. 

Mattias was said to have attended a pool party at the hotel on Saturday, January 31, where he had gone to sell tickets and earn money before the tragedy occurred.

His father, Henry Airenekhueme, told the publication that he received a distress call that day from one of Mattias’ elder brothers informing him that the young man had been rushed to the Isolo General Hospital and that a family member was urgently needed.

According to him, he arrived at the hospital only to find his son’s lifeless body still inside the vehicle that brought him to the facility. 

Airenekhueme said one of Mattias’ friends, who took him to the hospital, claimed they had been sitting together with a lady before he briefly stepped away.

“He said when he returned about five minutes later and tried calling my son, there was no response. The lady told him my son had left the spot, but his phone was still there charging. While searching for him, they later found his body in the swimming pool,” the father narrated.

However, Airenekhueme expressed doubts about the drowning narrative, citing what he described as unusual physical signs on his son’s body.

“If he truly drowned, why was his stomach flat instead of swollen? And why was there foam coming out of his mouth and nose?” he queried. 

Airenekhueme further revealed that an autopsy was being conducted to determine the exact cause of d3ath.

“An autopsy is being carried out by the police. We are waiting for the outcome,” he added.