Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have rescued a 25-year-old woman, Promise Eze, who was found tied up and unconscious in a hotel room in the Federal Capital Territory, in what authorities suspect to be a planned ritual-related attack.
The incident occurred in the Wuse area of Abuja, where hotel staff raised alarm after noticing suspicious activity linked to a male guest who had checked in with the victim. According to police sources, the victim had met the suspect online, where he allegedly used the fake identity Michael Prince, posing as an oil company employee. He later convinced her to travel to Abuja for a meeting.
Upon arrival, the suspect identified as Emmanuel Okoro, reportedly from Lagos State, checked into a hotel with the victim on January 30, 2025. Investigations revealed that shortly after entering the room, the suspect turned violent. He allegedly threatened the woman with a dagger, bound her hands and legs, and sealed her mouth with adhesive tape before abandoning her in the bathroom.
Hotel staff became suspicious when the man left the premises alone and failed to return. A routine check of the room led to the discovery of the victim, who was found unconscious and restrained. Security operatives were immediately contacted, prompting a swift response from the police.
The victim was rescued and rushed to a nearby hospital, where she later regained consciousness and is currently receiving medical care. Doctors say she is in stable condition but remains traumatized by the ordeal.
Preliminary findings suggest the attack may have been premeditated. The victim reportedly told investigators that she overheard the suspect making phone calls indicating he would return to complete the job, raising concerns of a possible ritual motive. Authorities believe the suspect may be part of a wider criminal network involved in luring unsuspecting victims through online platforms.
The FCT Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement on Friday. Police Public Relations Officer SP Josephine Adeh said operatives responded within minutes of the distress call. “The suspect fled before our arrival, but we have critical leads. This appears to be a case of attempted ritual killing. We are treating it with the urgency it deserves,” she said.
The police have since launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspect and are working to track down any accomplices linked to the case. Investigators are also reviewing CCTV footage from the hotel and tracing the suspect’s digital footprint from the fake social media account used to lure the victim.
A spokesperson for the command assured the public that all efforts are being made to apprehend those responsible and bring them to justice. She urged young Nigerians, especially women, to exercise caution when meeting strangers from social media.
“Verify identities. Inform family or friends of your location. Avoid isolated meetings in hotel rooms. These criminals prey on trust,” SP Adeh warned…. Discover More
