Lagos hotel sealed after Mattias Airenekhueme dies at pool party. Police arrest four suspects and investigate cause of death
The Lagos State Police Command has sealed Signatious Hotel in Ajao Estate following the mysterious death of Mattias Airenekhueme at the facility.
Also read: Lagos seals Nordic Hotel over pollution scandal (Photos)
Mattias, who attended a pool party at the hotel on Saturday, January 31, reportedly went there to sell tickets and earn money before the incident occurred.
His father, Henry Airenekhueme, told our correspondent that he received a distress call from one of Mattias’ elder brothers, informing him that Mattias had been rushed to Isolo General Hospital and that a family member was urgently needed.
On arrival, he found his son’s lifeless body still inside the vehicle that brought him to the hospital.
Henry Airenekhueme said three persons — the hotel manager and two friends of Mattias — were initially arrested.
A police source confirmed that operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, had sealed the hotel as part of ongoing investigations.
“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, bringing the total number of suspects in custody to four.
The family is awaiting the outcome of an autopsy conducted by the police to determine the exact cause of death.
Recounting details shared with him, Henry Airenekhueme said one of Mattias’ friends claimed they had been sitting with a lady before he briefly stepped away.
On returning five minutes later, he found no response from Mattias, whose phone was still charging. The body was later discovered in the swimming pool.
However, the father expressed doubts about the drowning narrative, citing unusual physical signs on Mattias’ 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 alleged that a hotel staff member later contacted the family to inquire what it would take to “settle” the matter, and claimed that the pool party continued that same night despite the discovery of Mattias’ body.
Efforts to reach the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abimbola Adebisi, for comment were unsuccessful.
Also read: Lagos Environmental Agency seals hotels, lounges over noise pollution
The incident has renewed concerns about safety standards at hotels and recreational centres, amid recurring cases of drownings and fatalities across Lagos State.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
