Ondo govt declares war on hotel owners, traffickers

Police, NIS, CAN condemn transactional sex among teens

By Sade Adewale,Adeboye Ado,Kayode Olabanji & Oluwadamilola Akinduro

Adisturbing pattern of exploitation and moral decay across several hotels in Ondo State, where underage girls are being harboured and exposed to transactional sex, popularly called “hookup”,has been uncovered, Weekend Hope can authoritatively reveal.

Findings by our correspondents revealed that the illegal practice, which is thriving across major towns in the state, is driven by a toxic mix of peer pressure, economic hardship, collapsing family structures and a dangerous pursuit of social media fame among teenagers.

From Akure to Ondo city, Okitipupa and down to Owo, hospitality businesses are now alleged to be safe havens for illicit activities involving minors, who are either seen loitering around hotels or are reportedly lodged by adult patrons.

Weekend Hope gathered that the disturbing trend, which is gaining traction both on the streets and across digital platforms, is fuelled by peer pressure, biting economic hardship and growing parental neglect.

The Special Adviser to the Ondo State Governor on Women Affairs, Dr. Seun Osamaye, has raised a strong voice against the practice.

She condemned the act as a gross violation of child rights, stressing that the Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa-led administration would not hesitate to go after anyone found culpable, particularly within the hospitality sector.

She emphasised the importance of educating the public on the laws surrounding these issues to prevent claims of ignorance when enforcement begins.

“It is unacceptable for underage girls to be loitering during school hours, hawking after school, or even being lodged in hotels. Our administration’s EASE agenda is clear: no tolerance for the exploitation or neglect of our children,” Osamaye declared.

Backing the government’s position, the Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Ondo State, CIS Felicia Amaka Anara, revealed that officers of the Service had discovered underage girls being harboured in hotels during routine inspection rounds.

She called for stronger inter-agency collaboration to curb child exploitation and human trafficking, while also advocating improved welfare support for Immigration personnel.

Renowned sociologist, Mr. Gbenga Ajisafe, came down hard on hotel operators for prioritising profit over ethical responsibility.

“These establishments rarely verify the age of their guests. The allure of money has blinded them to the dangers they enable,” he said.

Ajisafe also urged hotels to set up internal task forces to monitor guests and eject underage lodgers, lamenting the growing influence of social media in fuelling the hookup culture.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ondo State chapter, Rev. Fr Anselm Ologunwa, described the trend as a disturbing decline in moral values and a growing trend of child exploitation in the state.

Ologunwa, while criticising hotel operators who turn a blind eye to such acts, stressed the need for a firmer application of existing laws, insisting that hotel owners must be held accountable by verifying guests’ identities and purposes of visit, and reporting suspicious behaviour to the appropriate authorities.

He noted that the growing desperation for luxury and social media validation among young girls has pushed many into harmful lifestyles disguised as a means of survival.

According to him, the pursuit of materialism over values has created a generation increasingly vulnerable to exploitation.

He urged parents, guardians, and mentors to be more intentional in providing guidance, encouraging youths to prioritise education, dignity and meaningful relationships over fleeting pleasures and peer pressure.

The CAN Chairman lamented that the collapse of mentorship and the weakening of traditional values have contributed significantly to the rise in transactional relationships.

He observed that many young people lack moral direction, having been left without role models or constructive support systems to shape their choices, maintaining that only a united front involving government, religious institutions, families, and communities can halt the moral decline.

Ologunwa called for the revival of traditional teachings and stronger community engagement to restore a culture rooted in discipline, self-respect, and social responsibility.

He emphasised that awareness and education must be intensified, and hotels and other hospitality outlets must no longer be safe havens for exploitation.

According to him, addressing the issue requires a multi-dimensional approach involving mentorship, community vigilance and a deliberate commitment to rebuilding a value-driven society.

He urged all stakeholders to act urgently and decisively, warning that silence and inaction would only worsen the damage already inflicted on the moral fabric of the society.

Similarly, the Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Police Command, SP Olayinka Ayanlade, blamed the trend on poverty and the glorification of materialism.

“For many young women, hookup culture has become a survival strategy, not a choice,” he said.

Ayanlade called for holistic policy reforms focusing on job creation, vocational training, digital literacy and a revamp of the school curriculum to incorporate moral instruction.

Dean of Student Affairs at the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Mr Olu Ibrahimo, described the situation as a complete breakdown of societal values.

He said: “That is why many people no longer see it as abnormal. It has now been normalised, and that, in itself, is a serious problem. So yes, I believe it all stems from the breakdown of our value system. Beyond that, there’s the relentless rat race for money. Everyone is in a desperate chase, with little or no concern about how it’s made. That pressure is fuelled by capitalism. In a capitalist society, profit becomes the ultimate pursuit,” Ibrahim noted.

“People are willing to do just about anything for money. That’s another major factor. And in some societies, prostitution is perceived as a victimless crime, meaning no one is considered to be harmed. Unlike armed robbery, where there’s an obvious victim, prostitution is viewed differently.

“In such cases, the lady is believed to enjoy it, and the man, the patron, derives pleasure as well. So, it is considered a mutual exchange, and by that logic, victimless. It is for this reason that the trade continues to thrive, especially in recent times.”

Also lending his voice, Catholic priest, Rev Fr Augustine Ikwu, described the trend as a “systemic moral collapse”, blaming business interests for placing profit above human dignity.

“Turning a blind eye to abuse is tantamount to aiding it,” he warned, calling on the Church, families and society at large to reclaim the mantle of mentorship and restore traditional moral values.

Echoing the priest’s concerns, Pastor (Mrs) Florence Oluwatobi Ilemobade of The Great God Divine Presence Church, Akure, said: “Hotels must train their staff to identify red flags and collaborate with law enforcement agencies to combat trafficking. Economic hardship and the quest for social media validation are driving some girls into perilous relationships.”

Religious counsellor, Dr. Mercy Ige, lamented what she termed a “moral compromise” by hoteliers.

“Even some parents condone it. As long as the money flows, they do not ask how it is made,” she said.

Mr Bright Adewunmi, a social affairs analyst, also weighed in, blaming the dire economic situation for what he called the normalisation of immorality.

“This is not modernity. It is moral degeneration disguised as progress,” he said, warning against the uncritical adoption of foreign norms that erode indigenous values.

Cleric and convener of Mission International Ministries, Apostle Sunday Aladegbaye, did not mince words as he placed the burden squarely on hoteliers and parents.

“They must not look the other way. It is their duty to protect, not exploit these girls,” he said, urging a resurgence of mentorship and home-based moral guidance.

Meanwhile, a security operative who simply identified as Dada, urged residents to support law enforcement efforts by providing actionable intelligence.

“Residents must assist by supplying credible intelligence. It is a shared responsibility,” he said.

As the call for urgent action reverberates across the state, stakeholders insist that curbing the exploitation of underage girls in hotels requires more than just laws. It demands a radical overhaul of societal values, the revival of mentorship culture and robust partnerships across all sectors to restore the moral compass of the state.