FCT Police rescue woman from suspected ritualist in Abuja hotel

…launch manhunt for suspect

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has successfully rescued a 25-year-old woman, Promise Eze, from an alleged armed robber and suspected ritualist in a hotel in Wuse, Abuja. The suspect, who fled the scene before police arrival, is currently the subject of an intense manhunt.

According to a statement issued by SP Josephine Adeh, Police Public Relations Officer for the FCT Command, officers responded to a distress call from the hotel at about 11:30 AM on January 31, 2025.

Upon arrival, they discovered the victim tied to a small chair, her mouth sealed with plaster, and in an unconscious state. She was immediately freed and rushed to Wuse District Hospital, where she was resuscitated.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Eze had checked into the hotel a day earlier, on January 30, 2025, at about 7:00 AM, with a man who identified himself as Emmanuel Okoro from Lagos State.

However, further inquiries exposed a deeper layer of deception—Eze disclosed that she had met the suspect online under the alias “Michael Prince,” where he posed as an oil company employee based in Delta State. Initially inviting her to Delta, he later convinced her to meet him in Abuja instead.

What was supposed to be a casual meeting quickly turned into a terrifying ordeal. The suspect reportedly threatened Eze with a dagger, tied her up in the hotel bathroom, and covered her mouth before fleeing with her two mobile phones. Disturbingly, the victim overheard him making a phone call before escaping, telling his suspected accomplices that he was regrouping before returning to “finish the job.”

In response, the FCT Police Command has launched a full-scale manhunt to track down the suspect. The Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu, has strongly condemned the attack and urged residents, especially young women, to exercise caution when meeting strangers.

“The safety and security of all residents remain our top priority. We will not relent in our efforts to bring the perpetrator to justice,” CP Disu stated.

The FCT Police Command continues to encourage the public to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities, and support law enforcement efforts to keep the city safe.