A Nigerian father is urgently appealing for justice after his 16-year-old son experienced a severe mental breakdown after revealing he was sexually abused by a well-known hotelier in Bucknor, Isheri Oshun, Lagos.
According to Vanguard, Edozie Christian, a spare parts vendor at Ladipo market, recounted the troubling events that unfolded last Christmas when their son approached his mother with a serious confession.
The boy disclosed that the owner of a popular hotel had lured him and several classmates to the establishment and committed acts of sodomy against them, warning them against speaking out with threats of death.
“My son began to exhibit signs of madness following his confession,” Mr. Christian shared. In a state of distress, the family sought help at a prayer house. After several days, when the boy showed some signs of clarity, they reported the incident to the Isheri Osun police, where he detailed the harrowing experience.
However, following the naming of his classmates who had also been victimized, the boy’s condition deteriorated again.
The police attempted to question the named students, successfully bringing in only one, who provided a detailed account of the incidents, claiming they had initially visited the hotel for a TikTok event. The hotelier, referred to as the CEO, allegedly coaxed them into a room, promising a payment of N5,000 after the assault.
The student indicated that the hotelier had repeatedly targeted other boys as well, using similar tactics of bribery and threats to maintain silence.
After their statements, the father’s worries grew as his son’s health declined, leading them to the Mirabel Centre at General Hospital in Ikeja for further evaluation. Medical professionals confirmed signs of abuse but stated that it had not directly impacted his cognitive function. They recommended a psychiatric evaluation due to potential trauma.
Upon visiting the psychiatric facility, doctors advised further evaluation at a specialized hospital for adolescents. While medication was prescribed, Mr. Christian lamented that his son’s condition continued to worsen.
Regarding the police investigation, the family initially faced setbacks as they were informed that efforts to contact the hotel owner yielded no results. Later, they were surprised to learn that the case had been transferred to Zone 2 in Onikan, Lagos, without their notification.
Determined to pursue justice, Mr. Christian took the initiative to report the case directly to the AIG at Zone 2, who ordered the immediate arrest of the hotel owner for questioning. However, when police operatives raided the establishment, they were unable to apprehend the suspect but managed to detain several staff members.
Police sources confirmed that the hotel owner was indeed taken into custody and interrogated, and he remains under detention while the investigation continues.
Adegoke Fayoade, the Assistant Inspector General of Police overseeing Zone 2, has confirmed the ongoing investigation into the serious allegations.
