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 requested anonymity confirmed that operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, sealed the hotel as part of ongoing investigations. The source also disclosed that the organiser of the pool party has been arrested, bringing the total number of suspects currently in custody to four.
“The police have sealed the hotel pending ongoing investigations into the incident. The organiser of the pool party is also currently in police custody,” the source said.
Mattias was reportedly at the hotel on Saturday, January 31, to attend a pool party where he had gone to sell tickets and earn money before the tragic incident occurred.
His father, Henry Airenekhueme, told the publication that he received a distress call from one of Mattias’ elder brothers informing him that his son 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 transported him there.
Airenekhueme recounted that one of Mattias’ friends, who took him to the hospital, claimed they had been seated 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, the grieving father 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 questioned.
He further revealed that an autopsy is currently being conducted to determine the exact cause of death.
“An autopsy is being carried out by the police. We are waiting for the outcome,” he added.
