Police rescue Ebonyi lady from suspected ritualist’s captivity in Abuja hotel

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command successfully rescued a 25-year-old woman, Promise Eze, from the clutches of a suspected armed robber and ritualist in a hotel located in the Wuse area of Abuja.

The incident unfolded on January 30, 2025, when Eze checked into the hotel with a man who identified himself as Emmanuel Okoro, a Lagos-based individual.

However, police investigations revealed that the suspect had introduced himself online as Michael Prince, claiming to be an oil company employee based in Delta State.

The two had initially planned to meet in Delta, but after Eze declined, they arranged to meet in Abuja instead.

According to a statement from FCT Police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, on Wednesday, officers arrived at the scene following a distress call reporting suspicious activity from one of the hotel rooms.

Upon entering the room, police discovered Eze bound to a small chair, her mouth covered with plaster, and unconscious from the ordeal.

“She was in a state of distress and clearly traumatized,” Adeh said, adding that the victim was immediately freed and rushed to Wuse District Hospital, where she was resuscitated.

Eze later revealed that the situation took a dark turn when the suspect, under the alias Michael Prince, brandished a dagger and restrained her. He allegedly tied her hands and legs, placed tape over her mouth, and left her confined in the bathroom. 

Before fleeing the scene, the suspect stole Eze’s two mobile phones. Disturbingly, the victim overheard him speaking to accomplices on the phone, warning that he intended to return to “finish the job.”

In response to the attack, FCT Police Commissioner CP Olatunji Disu condemned the act of violence and reassured residents of the command’s commitment to ensuring their safety. The police have launched an extensive manhunt for the suspect.

“We urge the public, particularly young women, to exercise caution when engaging with individuals met online, as this tragic event clearly highlights the dangers of trusting strangers,” CP Disu emphasised. “Our officers are working relentlessly to locate and apprehend this dangerous individual.”

The FCT Police Command has assured residents that the safety and security of all individuals remain a top priority, and efforts to prevent such crimes will continue unabated.

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