A woman who was seen in a viral video tied to a chair at the Top View Hotel in Abuja has narrate her traumatic experience.
She claims she was assaulted and robbed by a suspected fraudster, Joseph Efe, who had lured her through a hookup site.
The incident has sparked widespread reactions, with many calling for tighter security around online dating activities.
The suspect, Joseph Efe, was paraded by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) FCT Command on Friday.
According to the FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, Efe, a 30-year-old, is believed to specialise in targeting women on dating sites, popularly known as “coded runs.”
His modus operandi includes luring unsuspecting women to secluded locations, robbing them of their phones, and making illegal withdrawals from their bank accounts.
The victim, Olivia Ijeoma Chukwuemeka, has shared the terrifying details of her encounter with Efe. Speaking to newsmen, she admitted that she had met Efe through a hookup site known as the “coded site.”
Olivia explained that although she lives in Enugu, she frequently visits Abuja for business purposes.
Olivia recounted that she had met Efe some months ago, and during her recent trip to Abuja, she arranged to meet him at the Top View Hotel.
However, things took a dark turn as soon as she arrived at the hotel.
“When I got to the hotel, the suspect asked me if I was afraid of death,” Olivia said, her voice trembling with emotion.
She described how Efe immediately started threatening her, telling her that if she cooperated, he would not harm her like he had done to other girls.
Olivia explained that Efe warned her that his friend was waiting outside, ready to inject her with a substance if she attempted to make any wrong moves.
Desperate and frightened, Olivia pleaded with him for mercy.
“I pleaded with him, but he slapped me and asked me to strip my clothes,” she narrated.
At that point, Olivia attempted to escape by running to the door, but it was locked, and Efe had taken control of the keys. Her attempts to flee only enraged her attacker further.
Olivia said that Efe then used her own dress to tie her hands, but when he realised that it wasn’t tight enough, he resorted to using a cellophane tape to bind her more securely.
To muffle her cries for help, Efe turned the television volume up and gagged her mouth with a handkerchief. At this point, Olivia was completely at his mercy.
The victim recalled that Efe then proceeded to steal her phone. After unlocking it, he forced her thumb on the screen to access her account.
He then demanded her bank account details, hoping to make an immediate withdrawal.
However, upon discovering that Olivia did not have money in her account, Efe grew visibly frustrated.
“He realised there was no money in my account,” Olivia said.
“He warned me not to make any noise and left the room.” Trapped, bound, and terrified, Olivia feared for her life as she waited for an opportunity to escape.
It was after Efe had left the room that Olivia noticed some movement outside the door.
She observed that the person outside was wearing a uniform, which gave her a glimmer of hope that help was nearby.
Summoning all the strength she had left, Olivia struggled to drag herself toward the window and began banging on it to draw attention.
Her efforts paid off when a hotel staff member heard her cries for help.
“I struggled and dragged myself to the window and banged it hard,” she explained.
“Luckily, the guy heard me, and I made a sign pointing in the direction the suspect went.”
Thanks to Olivia’s quick thinking and persistence, hotel staff were able to alert security, and the authorities were called in.
The NSCDC arrested Efe shortly afterward, and he was paraded by the FCT Command on Friday.
The Commandant of the NSCDC, Olusola Odumosu, revealed that Efe is suspected of being involved in multiple cases of robbery and assault.
Odumosu explained that the suspect’s method of targeting women through dating sites is particularly concerning, as it preys on the vulnerabilities of individuals looking for companionship.
“This is a reminder of the dangers associated with online dating platforms and hookup sites,” he added.
The viral video of Olivia, bound and helpless, has since circulated widely on social media, prompting a wave of reactions from the public.
Many expressed shock and outrage at the brazenness of the attack, calling for stricter regulations to monitor dating platforms and protect vulnerable users from predators like Efe.
