NIGERIA: Police Rescue Woman From Suspected Ritualist In Abuja, Launch Manhunt

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has rescued a 25-year-old woman, Promise Eze, from a suspected ritualist and armed robber at a hotel in Wuse, Abuja.

The suspect, who is currently on the run, allegedly lured the victim through social media before subjecting her to a terrifying ordeal.

According to a statement released by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, the police received a distress call from hotel staff on January 31, 2025.

Upon arrival, they found Eze tied to a small chair with her mouth covered in plaster, unconscious and in distress.

She was immediately rushed to Wuse District Hospital, where she regained consciousness.

The statement also revealed that Preliminary investigations revealed that Eze had checked into the hotel on January 30 with a man who introduced himself as Emmanuel Okoro from Lagos State.

However, she later disclosed that she had met the suspect online under the alias Michael Prince, who claimed to be an oil company employee from Delta State.

The statement said, “The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has successfully rescued a young woman from the clutches of a suspected armed robber and ritualist, launching an immediate manhunt for the fleeing suspect.

“On January 31, 2025, at approximately 11:30 AM, the Command received a distress call from a hotel in the Wuse area of the FCT, reporting suspicious activity in one of their rooms.

“Responding swiftly, police operatives arrived at the scene and discovered a 25-year-old woman, Promise Eze, from Ebonyi State, tied to a small chair with her mouth covered in plaster.

She was found unconscious and in distress. Officers acted immediately, freeing her from captivity and rushing her to Wuse District Hospital, where she was resuscitated.

“Preliminary investigations revealed a disturbing pattern of deception and violence. The victim had checked into the hotel a day earlier, on January 30, 2025, at about 7:00 AM, in the company of a man who identified himself as Emmanuel Okoro from Lagos State.

“However, during police questioning, the victim disclosed that she had met the suspect online, where he introduced himself under the alias Michael Prince, claiming to be an oil company employee based in Delta State. Initially, he invited her to Delta, but after she declined, they agreed to meet in Abuja.

“Tragically, what was meant to be an innocent meeting turned into a harrowing ordeal. The suspect allegedly brandished a dagger, using it to threaten and subdue the victim before restraining her by tying her hands and legs and taping her mouth shut inside the bathroom. He then fled the scene, stealing her two mobile phones.

“Alarmingly, before escaping, the victim overheard him speaking to suspected accomplices over the phone, informing them that he was on his way to regroup before returning to the hotel to “finish the job.”

However, the FCT Police Command has launched a full-scale manhunt for the suspect and urged residents to remain cautious, especially when meeting strangers.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu, has also condemned the act and assured the public of ongoing efforts to apprehend the perpetrator.

Residents with any information that could assist in the suspect’s arrest have been encouraged to contact the police via emergency lines 08032003913 or the Complaint Response Unit at 08107314192.