The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command has interviewed the suspected internet fraudster, Joseph Efe, who tied up a lady at Top View hotel, Wuse, Zone 5, Abuja.
Parading the suspect on Friday, September 20, 2024, the FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu said Efe specialises in luring ladies on dating sites called ‘coded runs’ with the intent to robbing them of their phones and making withdrawal from his victims’ bank accounts.
“The 30-year-old suspect, Joseph Efe, who is of Edo and Ondo origin, was arrested after coming out of the hotel premises allegedly to meet an accomplice, leaving his victim tied up in the hotel room,” Odumosu stated.
“The eagle eyed men of the NSCDC FCT Command who were at their sentry post, upon noticing Joseph’s suspicious movement stopped him but instead of stopping, the suspect took to his heels after sighting our gallant officers who chased him, caught him and was led back to his hotel room, where the naked girl was found tied hands and legs with semi transparent adhesive tape (Cellotape).
“The victim, Olivia Ijeoma Chukwuemeka, who hails from Abia State was immediately rescued from the situation where she has been stripped naked, bound, hands, feet and mouth.
Olusola Odumosu said the suspect confessed to being a yahoo boy and that he has not been making money from the act so he decided to hunt for young girls on a dating site called ‘coded runs’ and that he operates between Port Harcourt, Lagos, Benin and Abuja.
Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspect, Mr Efe is a serial fraudster (yahoo) and a thief, who specialises in luring ladies on dating sites into hotel rooms with the intent to robbing them of their phones and making withdrawal from his victims bank account.
Investigation also reveals that the suspect arrived Abuja from Lagos on the 17th September, 2024 and lodged into FAB by Top Rank Hotel adjacent old Federal Secretariat, Area1.
His first victim on arrival in Abuja was another lady he invited to his hotel room but could not succeed in his evil act because the lady was able to put up some resistance.
The noise attracted hotel staff at the said hotel, who came into his room. He succeeded in escaping from the scene due to poor handling of the situation by the hotel security.
Upon his escape from FAB Hotel, he then proceeded to Top View Hotel where he checked in at about 2:30am of Wednesday, 18th September 2024.
He invited his latest victim who arrived at about 9am. He threatened her, putting fear in her and holding her by the throat, the frightened lady succumbed to her abductor, she was then stripped and bound.
On checking the victim’s phone he discovered the lady had no money in her bank account, he then took the victim’s android phone and left the hotel room.
It was in the process of escaping from the hotel premises that his movement became suspicious, but in the process of trying to stop him, he took to his heels, he was chased and caught by NSCDC Operatives.
While addressing journalists, Dr. Odumosu said:
“let it be made abundantly clear that the video in circulation on this incident was not shot by the operatives of the NSCDC, we only became aware of its existence as it went viral on social media.
“Furthermore, as a Corps, we are duty bound and empowered to do due diligence before taking necessary steps towards prosecuting or handing over a suspect as the case may be to any relevant sister agency”.
After preliminary investigation, the suspect and the victim will be handed over to the relevant agency for any further necessary action.”
The FCT Commandant also warned all hotel owners to be more vigilant, and that they should do more to protect their guests and hotel facilities as well as ensuring their premises are not used as a place to perpetuate crime.
The Commandant who described the way the victim was tied by her abductor as inhuman cautioned all young ladies involved in ‘hook up’ to desist from such acts that will endanger their lives.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
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