Hotel

A suspected sex worker who was seen in a viral video undressed and tied to a chair in a hotel in Abuja has narrated her ordeal in the hands of a 30-year-old man, Joseph Efe.

Efe who was arrested for stealing a cellphone from the suspected sex worker, said he committed the crime to raise money for his sister who has sickle cell anemia.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps FCT Commandant, Dr Olusola Odumosu while briefing the press on Friday, said that the suspect was arrested on Wednesday at the Top View hotel in Abuja.

Efe during his confession before newsmen, said that he met the victim on a “hookup site” before inviting her to the said location.

The suspect said he tied the victim to prevent her from getting help as he exited the hotel after stealing from her.

“I tied her so that she would not run after me as I fled. I told her to take off her clothes so that even if she can untie herself before she puts on her clothes I will be long gone,” Efe said.

He added that before his arrest, he had stolen from four victims in Port Harcourt, Lagos and Abuja.

Narrating her ordeal, the woman (name withheld), said that she had been on the hookup site called “coded site”.

”I met the suspect some months ago. I live in Enugu but visit Abuja for other business reasons.

“When I got to the hotel, the suspect asked me if I was afraid of death.

“He said if I cooperate with him he will not hurt me like other girls. He said his friend was outside and if I made any wrong move, he injected me with something.

“I pleaded with him, he slapped me and asked me to strip my clothes. I tried to get to the door but it was locked by him and he held the keys,” she said.

She alleged that he used her dress to firstly tie her hands but when it was not tight enough, he took out a cellophane tape.

“He turned the television volume very high and blocked my mouth with a handkerchief,” she said.

She further said that he stole her phone, unlocked it, forced her thumb on the screen and asked for her bank account details.

She said after unlocking the phone, he discovered that she didn’t have money in the account.

“He warned me not to make any noise and left the room.

“I later noticed movement outside the door and saw the colour of the uniform the person was wearing and was relieved that it was the hotel staff.

“I struggled and dragged myself to the window and banged it hard. Luckily, the guy heard me and I made a sign pointing in the direction the suspect went,” she said.

According to the NSCDC FCT Commandant, it was in the process of the suspect trying to escape from the hotel premises that his movement became suspicious and in the process of trying to stop him, he took to his heels before being chased and caught by NSCDC operatives.

Odumosu said that the video circulated on social media of the lady and the victim in the hotel room was not recorded by NSCDC operatives.

“Let it be made clear that the video in circulation on this incident was not shot by the operatives of the NSCDC as we only became aware of its existence when it went viral on social media,” he said.

He added that after preliminary investigation the suspect and victim will be handed over to the relevant agency for further necessary actions and investigation.

“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,” he said.

The commandant warned hotel operators to be more vigilant and should do better in protecting guests.

“Ensure your hotel facilities and premises are not used as a place to perpetuate crime.

“Let me also caution all young ladies also known as ‘runs girls’ to desist from such acts that will endanger their lives but rather engage in legitimate businesses to earn a living,” he said.

In another development, he said that four alleged vandals were arrested in the territory for theft and vandalising public infrastructure.

“One Usman Ibrahim was arrested while vandalising armoured cables from a transformer in Nuclear Technology Centre, Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission premises in Kwali Area Council following an intelligence tip-off.

“Another three persons were arrested while transporting a vandalised air-conditioner and stolen cables suspected to have been vandalised at Nigeria Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) in Kwali also.

“ Charms were found on them and they confessed that one of the three is the seller while the other two are the buyers,” he said.