The management of Sunview Hotel in Akure, Ondo State, has said it is working closely with security agencies to uncover the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Mr. Olaloye Olatunde, a vice principal who went missing after lodging at the facility during a training programme.
Olatunde, who travelled from Owo on Sunday, August 24, 2025, to attend a workshop organised by some non-governmental organisations, was last seen three days after checking into the hotel. His belongings were later discovered in his room.
The Ondo State Police Command confirmed that at least four suspects had been arrested in connection with the case, adding that investigations were ongoing.
Speaking with journalists in Akure on Thursday, the General Manager of the hotel, Mr. Kenneth Ekpeyong, described the incident as “unfortunate,” stressing that the management had followed due process and was cooperating with investigators.
According to him, Olatunde was one of 58 participants lodged at the hotel for the training programme, which ran from Sunday, August 24, until Saturday, August 30.
Ekpeyong explained that the alarm was raised on Friday, the last day of the programme, when the missing guest failed to sign his bill.
“While settling the bills, our front office manager discovered that only one participant had not signed his bill. On inquiry, a lady said the person was not around. By Saturday, we got in touch with the programme organiser, who instructed that the belongings of the guest be removed from the room and kept in housekeeping to avoid extra charges. Nobody thought much about it again until Sunday, when the missing man’s brother came to ask after him,” he said.
The GM said the hotel immediately contacted the organiser, and it was confirmed that the missing guest was the same participant who had failed to check out.
“By Monday, we advised the organisers to report the matter to the police, but they declined. When they failed to cooperate, we reported the matter ourselves, only to find out that the family had already lodged a complaint,” Ekpeyong added.
He noted that the hotel had since petitioned the police through the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, after which the case was referred to the Ondo State Command. The matter was later assigned to the anti-kidnapping unit, while the Department of State Services (DSS) also opened a separate investigation.
“We want to make it clear that we have formally complained, and there is evidence of our written petition to the police,” the GM said.
