In a swift and heroic response, the FCT Police Command successfully rescued a 25-year-old woman, Promise Eze, from the clutches of a suspected ritualist at a hotel in Wuse, Abuja.
The dramatic event unfolded on January 31, 2025, at approximately 11:30 AM when the hotel’s management raised an alarm regarding suspicious activities in one of its rooms.
Following the distress call, a team of officers rushed to the scene. Upon arrival, they discovered Promise Eze unconscious and in distress, tied to a small chair, her mouth covered with plaster.
The officers immediately freed her and rushed her to Wuse District Hospital, where she was revived.
In a statement released by SP Josephine Adeh, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, the police confirmed the suspect had fled the scene.
The statement read, “The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has successfully rescued a young woman from the clutches of a suspected armed robber and ritualist, launching an immediate manhunt for the fleeing suspect.”
Preliminary investigations revealed a chilling account from the victim. Eze, a native of Ebonyi State, had checked into the hotel the previous day, January 30, 2025, with a man who identified himself as Emmanuel Okoro from Lagos State.
However, during police questioning, the woman revealed that she had met the suspect online, where he had introduced himself as Michael Prince, claiming to be an oil company employee based in Delta State.
Initially, he had invited her to Delta, but when she declined, they agreed to meet in Abuja. What was supposed to be an innocent meeting turned into a terrifying ordeal when the suspect allegedly threatened Eze with a dagger, restraining her by tying her hands and legs, and taping her mouth shut inside the hotel bathroom.
“The suspect fled the scene, stealing her two mobile phones. Alarmingly, before escaping, the victim overheard him speaking to suspected accomplices over the phone, informing them that he was on his way to regroup before returning to the hotel to ‘finish the job,’” Adeh stated.
In light of the seriousness of the crime, the FCT Police have launched a comprehensive search for the suspect, urging residents, especially women, to be vigilant when meeting individuals they do not know personally.
CP Olatunji Disu, Commissioner of Police for FCT, strongly condemned the act, urging the public to exercise caution in similar situations. “The FCT Police Command remains unwavering in its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents,” he assured.
The Commissioner also appealed to the public for any information that could lead to the suspect’s capture, providing emergency lines for reporting: 08032003913 and the Complaint Response Unit at 08107314192.
Adeh concluded, “The FCT Police Command remains dedicated to safeguarding lives and properties and urges the public to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities, and cooperate with law enforcement to keep our communities safe.”
