Vice principal vanished after checking into hotel in Akure
Police in Ondo State have launched a full investigation into the mysterious disappearance of Olaloye Olatunde, a Vice Principal at Ipele Community High School in Owo.
Olatunde was last seen after checking into a hotel in Alagbaka, Akure, where he was attending a Child Labour seminar hosted by Trace Project Akure in collaboration with Charakids Foundation.
“We spoke regularly — then his phone went off”
According to his wife, Mrs. Adenike Olaloye, she and her husband stayed in close contact until Wednesday, but by Friday — the final day of the seminar — his phone had gone completely dark.
“I was the one who packed his bag before he travelled. That same bag was found in his hotel room — but they packed it out without even telling me,” she said.
Hotel staff say he walked out — and never came back
The hotel claims their CCTV footage shows Olatunde walking out of the premises at 6:17 a.m. on Thursday, August 28, and never returning. However, his family questions the clarity and credibility of the footage.
His brother, Zacheus Olaloye, visited the hotel after being alerted by his sister-in-law.
“They said all participants had checked out. But I found my brother’s bag still in the room. Clothes, shoes — everything still there. The footage they showed us was grainy and unrecognizable.”
Organisers and hotel accused of silence
Neither the seminar organisers nor the hotel management have formally reached out to the Olaloye family since the disappearance, according to Zacheus.
“We’re the ones chasing everyone. They should be helping us find him,” he added.
Hotel staff claim they acted on instructions from a seminar facilitator, who told them Olatunde had left to sign teachers’ salary vouchers — prompting them to clear his room using a master key.
Police say anti-kidnapping unit is on the case
Ondo State Police spokesperson Ayanlade Olayinka confirmed that the Anti-Kidnapping Unit is now handling the case.
“We urge members of the public to provide any useful information. Our detectives are actively working to uncover what happened.”
Olatunde’s whereabouts remain unknown as of today, and his family continues to call for urgency and accountability from both the hotel and seminar organisers.
