Tension in Akure Over Missing Vice Principal from Hotel

An atmosphere of palpable tension and anxiety has gripped Akure, the Ondo State capital, following the mysterious disappearance of Olaloye Olatunde, the Vice Principal of Ipele Community High School, Owo. The father of two was last seen at a popular hotel in the city where he was attending a week-long workshop, and his family is now raising the alarm over what they describe as a disturbing lack of cooperation from the hotel management. The family’s distress has deepened as they now face a confusing and conflicting narrative surrounding the events leading up to Olatunde’s vanishing, leaving them desperate for answers. This case has drawn attention to the broader issue of missing persons in Nigeria, where thousands disappear each year, often without a trace, leaving families in a state of prolonged anguish and uncertainty.

The ordeal began when Olaloye Olatunde, a respected educationist, traveled from Owo to Akure on Sunday, August 24, to participate in a Child Labour Programme organized by Trace Project and the Charakids Foundation. His wife, Mrs. Adenike Olaloye, confirmed that her husband checked into Sunview Hotel, Alagbaka, a designated venue for all participants. They maintained regular communication until last Wednesday, when his phone became unreachable. The seminar was scheduled to end on Friday, but Olatunde never returned home. The family’s search efforts have been hindered by a fractured and confusing sequence of events. While in the process of searching for her husband, Mrs. Adenike Olaloye suffered an injury, breaking her leg, a physical toll that reflects the immense emotional and psychological burden she now carries. She also noted a disturbing detail: the bag she had packed for her husband was later found in his room, which had already been cleared by the hotel staff without any prior notification to the family.

The hotel’s account of the events presents a stark contrast to the family’s narrative. The manager of Sunview Hotel, Kenneth Ekpeyong, and another staff, Mrs. Oluwaseyi Adebayo, confirmed that Olaloye was a participant in the workshop but stated that all participants had been well-accounted for. According to their statement, one of the facilitators of the program had instructed the hotel to clear the belongings from Room 305, where Olatunde was lodged, with the explanation that the vice principal had traveled to sign teachers’ salary vouchers. They also stated that CCTV footage shows Olatunde on Wednesday and again on Thursday morning, August 28, at exactly 6:17 a.m., when he walked out of the hotel and never returned. It was after this discovery, the hotel claims, that the room was opened and his belongings were packed. The family’s elder brother, Mr. Zacheus Olaloye, has however, accused the hotel of a lack of cooperation, alleging they initially told the family all participants had checked out and that efforts to view the CCTV footage have been frustrating. He also criticized both the hotel and the event organizers for their failure to reach out to the family formally after Olatunde’s disappearance, leaving the family to do all the legwork.

This case raises serious questions about the legal and ethical responsibilities of hotels and event organizers. Under common law principles, hotels have a duty of care to their guests, which includes providing a safe and secure environment. The act of entering a guest’s room and packing their belongings without a formal police directive or clear communication with the family could have serious legal implications. While the hotel claims a facilitator gave the instruction, its failure to notify the family first is a major breach of trust. This incident also sheds light on the broader issue of missing persons in Nigeria. Data from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) indicates that over 24,000 Nigerians have been declared missing since 2015, with many cases linked to armed conflict and violence, although mysterious disappearances in urban centers are also not uncommon. The Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, has confirmed that an investigation has commenced. Police protocol for missing person cases typically involves immediate information gathering, risk assessment, and a comprehensive search. The police have appealed to the public to provide any information that might assist in locating the missing vice principal, a call that is often the first step in a long and arduous process for families hoping for the safe return of their loved ones.