Guest goes missing in Akure hotel; police launch investigation

By Boye Oyeyemi –

An air of confusion has gripped Akure, Ondo State, following the disappearance of a man whose belongings were discovered untouched in his hotel room.

The missing man, Olaloye Olatunde, had travelled from Owo on August 24 to attend a week-long child labour seminar organised by Trace Project Akure in partnership with Charakids Foundation. The training, which drew 56 participants, was held at a hotel (name withheld) in the Alagbaka area.

A family source disclosed that Olatunde kept in touch with his relatives between Monday and Wednesday.

“However, attempts to reach him on Friday, August 29, were unsuccessful as his phone was reportedly turned off,” the source said. His wife is said to have raised alarm when repeated calls went unanswered.

Relatives who later visited the hotel were alarmed to find his clothes, shoes and other personal effects still intact in the room, even after other participants had checked out. They took photographs of the items as evidence.

The development has thrown the family into panic, forcing them to alert the police over his sudden disappearance.

As of press time, neither the hotel management nor the organisers of the training had issued any formal statement.

Police spokesman Alayande Olushola confirmed the matter had been reported, saying, “The command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the man’s sudden disappearance.”