Merryhome Hotels Aba Responds to Drowning Incident
The management of Merryhome Hotels, located on Chief Ubani Street, Off 7Up Road in Ogbor Hill, has responded to the tragic drowning of 17-year-old Divine Odide, whose body was found in the hotel’s swimming pool on June 10, 2025. The incident has prompted a police investigation and raised allegations of negligence from the deceased’s father, Mr. Orji Odide.
In a press briefing on Thursday, June 26, 2025, Mr. Felix Abengowe, CEO of Merryhome Hotels, described the incident as “unfortunate and mysterious” while defending the hotel’s safety protocols. “We have strict policies in place, with clear signs at the reception and pool area stating that only experienced swimmers are allowed in the pool,” Abengowe said, refuting claims of negligence.
According to Abengowe, a group of over 40 students visited the hotel on the day of the incident, but only 14 were permitted to use the pool after confirming they could swim. This arrangement was reportedly agreed upon in the school’s WhatsApp group. However, a staff member monitoring the group—though not a trained lifeguard—briefly stepped away, and screams soon alerted staff to the drowning.
Abengowe expressed concerns over conflicting accounts from Divine’s peers, noting that none claimed to have seen him enter the pool. “Even the boy’s father questioned how no one saw him get into the water, yet his body was found inside,” he said. The CEO also raised suspicions about the school group administrator, who allegedly removed Divine from the WhatsApp group immediately after the incident and has since gone into hiding.
“There’s a possibility something else happened,” Abengowe suggested, noting that Mr. Odide suspects some classmates may have pushed Divine into the pool out of jealousy over his appearance and possessions, including a high-end phone. Five students are currently in police custody, assisting with the investigation.
Addressing public concerns, Abengowe debunked rumors of frequent pool-related deaths at the hotel, stating that the last such incident occurred in 2021 and was duly reported. “We are not a hotel where people just come to die. We clearly warn that non-swimmers should not enter the pool, and the management cannot be held responsible if this policy is ignored,” he emphasized.
Merryhome Hotels has pledged full cooperation with the ongoing police investigation and expressed deep regret over the loss of Divine Odide. The incident has sparked widespread discussion in Aba, with authorities working to uncover the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s tragic death.
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