● Hauwa Ibrahim
Abuja – A woman identified as Olivia Ijeoma Chukwuemeka, who was seen in a viral video tied to a chair and undressed at a popular Abuja hotel, has narrated her harrowing ordeal at the hands of a suspected fraudster, Joseph Efe. The incident has sparked widespread concern as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) paraded the 30-year-old suspect on Friday, September 20.
The FCT Commandant of the NSCDC, Olusola Odumosu, led the parade and described Efe as a serial offender who lures unsuspecting women via dating sites, commonly known as “coded runs,” with the intention of robbing them. “He uses these platforms to deceive his victims, steal their phones, and withdraw money from their bank accounts,” Odumosu explained to journalists at the command’s headquarters.
Efe, while confessing to the crime, admitted that he met the victim on a hookup site. “It was on one of those sites that I contacted her, and we agreed to meet,” he said, confirming his involvement in the incident. He acknowledged that the encounter turned criminal after they met in person at the hotel.
Narrating her ordeal to the press, Chukwuemeka said she had met the suspect months ago on the site. “I live in Enugu but visit Abuja for other business reasons,” she shared, adding that her interaction with Efe had seemed harmless until things took a dark turn. According to her, it was at the hotel that Efe revealed his violent intentions.
A hotel staff member, who requested anonymity due to the ongoing investigation, mentioned that Chukwuemeka had been visibly shaken when they found her. “I could tell something was terribly wrong when I saw her struggling and banging on the window. We acted quickly to alert the authorities,” the staff member explained.
Chukwuemeka recounted the terrifying moment Efe began to threaten her life. “When I got to the hotel, the suspect asked me if I was afraid of death,” she revealed. “He said if I cooperated with him, he wouldn’t hurt me like he had done to other girls, but he warned that his friend outside was ready to inject me with something if I made any wrong move.”
Chukwuemeka also recalled how Efe became violent when she refused to cooperate. “I pleaded with him, but he slapped me and asked me to strip. I tried to run to the door, but he had locked it and was holding the key,” she said. Her account was corroborated by another hotel employee, who mentioned hearing loud noises from the room but was initially unsure of the source.
A security expert, Dr. Bala Usman, who commented on the rising trend of online-related crimes, warned women to be cautious when interacting on such platforms. “Unfortunately, these cases are becoming more common. People should be careful about whom they meet online, and authorities must intensify efforts to clamp down on such predators,” Usman advised.
Chukwuemeka said Efe tied her hands with her dress, but when that wasn’t tight enough, he resorted to using cellophane tape. “He turned up the volume of the television and gagged me with a handkerchief,” she recounted. Efe then took her phone, forced her to unlock it with her thumbprint, and demanded her bank account details. After discovering little money in her account, he left the room but warned her to remain silent.
Recalling how she found a lifeline, Chukwuemeka stated, “I later noticed movement outside the door and could see the color of the uniform. It gave me hope that help was near.” Another hotel guest, Mr. Ahmed Musa, who was also on the premises, confirmed that he had heard banging on the window and immediately informed the hotel’s security team.
Thanks to the swift response from hotel staff, who notified the NSCDC, Efe was apprehended, and Chukwuemeka was rescued. The NSCDC has praised the hotel’s efforts in cooperating with law enforcement, ensuring that Efe was caught before he could escape. GMTNewsng
