A grieving father, Mr. Henry Airenekhuemen, has demanded a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of his son, Mattias, who reportedly drowned in a swimming pool at Signatious Hotel, Ajao Estate, Lagos State.

Airenekhuemen said Mattias had gone to the hotel on Saturday evening to attend a pool party, where he was selling tickets to earn some money. The family’s concerns began when one of Mattias’ elder brothers received a distress call that he had been rushed to Isolo General Hospital and that a family member was urgently needed.

On getting to the hospital, the father said he was shattered to discover that his son was already dead in the vehicle that brought him in.

“I was told he drowned in the hotel’s swimming pool,” Airenekhuemen said. “But when I arrived, my son was already lifeless in the back seat of the car.”

He explained that a friend of the deceased told him Mattias had earlier been sitting with him and a lady before the friend briefly stepped away. Minutes later, calls to Mattias reportedly went unanswered. When the friend returned to the spot, the lady allegedly claimed Mattias had left, even though his phone was still there, plugged in and charging.

A search of the hotel premises later reportedly led to the discovery of Mattias’ body inside the swimming pool.

The father, however, questioned the drowning narrative, pointing to what he described as suspicious physical signs on his son’s body.

“If he really drowned, why was his stomach flat and not swollen? Why was there foam coming out of his mouth and nose?” he asked.

Airenekhuemen said the family reported the incident to the police. Officers were said to have visited the hospital, documented the case, and moved the body to the morgue before proceeding to inspect the hotel.

During the visit, police reportedly raised concerns over the absence of a diver or pool supervisor at the time of the incident.

He further disclosed that three individuals — the hotel manager, the lady last seen with Mattias, and the friend who said he found him in the pool — are currently being detained at the Ajao Estate Police Division as investigations continue.

According to him, the hotel manager could not immediately provide CCTV footage, explaining that he had only recently resumed duty at the facility.

The bereaved father also alleged attempts at a settlement, claiming that someone who identified himself as a hotel staff member contacted the family to discuss compensation.

“One of my sons received a call asking what we wanted to settle the matter,” he said, adding that the party reportedly continued the same night even after Mattias’ body was discovered, a development he described as deeply suspicious.

A visit to the hotel by our correspondent on Monday showed little activity. A staff member at the gate said the hotel was undergoing renovations and was temporarily closed, noting that the manager was unavailable.

Efforts to obtain a response from the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abimbola Adebisi, were unsuccessful as calls and messages had not been returned as of the time of filing this report.

The incident has once again raised concerns about safety standards at hotel swimming pools and recreational facilities, with authorities in recent times calling for stricter enforcement following similar cases.