The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in FCT, Abuja has narrated how a 30-year-old suspected internet fraudster, Joseph Efe, was arrested after his failed attempt to use a female victim, Olivia Ijeoma Chukwuemeka.
A young Nigerian lady, simply identified as Olivia, was tied inside Top View Hotel, Wuse, Abuja by a suspected Yahoo Boy, Alex for alleged money rituals.
The lady, however was rescued by the personnel of the NSCDC.
The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday night
She stated that the police are currently awaiting the NSCDC to hand over the suspect to the command.
DAILY GIST obtained a video clip of the incident which has gone viral on social media
The video captures the lady on a chair inside one of the hotel’s rooms already tied by the legs, hands and mouth. She was also undressed leaving her n@ked.
She was confined by the suspect after alleged hookup deal at the hotel
However, scream of the girl attracted a passerby close to the room, who alerted the hotel’s management.
In the video, some people suspected to be management of the hotel and some security operatives forced the door open and directed the suspect to untie the lady.
Attempts by the suspect to explain his action were not entertained by those in the room, who rather descended on him.
According to the PPRO, “Findings revealed that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has taken the suspect into custody and are yet to hand over to the police for diligent investigation.
“The FCT Police Command, for all intents and purposes, awaits the NSCDC to hand over all parties for the commencement of diligent and discreet investigation.
“Further developments will be communicated in due course.”
Below is the press briefing of the commandant of the NSCDC, FCT, Olusola Odumosu.
Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to being a Yahoo boy and that he has not been collecting money from (victims) so he decided to hunt for young girls on a dating site called ‘coded runs’. He operates between Port Harcourt, Lagos, Benin and Abuja.
“The command’s investigation unit immediately swung into action. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect, Mr. Efe is a serial fraudster (yahoo) and a thief, who specialises in luring ladies on dating sites one of which is ‘‘Codded runs” to hotel rooms with the intent to rob them of their phones and making withdrawals from his victims’ bank account. Investigation also reveals that the suspect operates between Port Harcourt, Lagos, Benin, and Abuja.
“The suspect arrived in Abuja from Lagos on the 17th of September, 2024, and was lodged into FAB by Top Rank Hotel adjacent old Federal Secretariat, Areal 1. His first victim on arrival in Abuja was another lady he invited to his hotel room but could not succeed in his evil act because the lady was able to put up some resistance.
“The noise attracted hotel staff at the said hotel, who came into his room. He succeeded in escaping from the scene due to poor handling of the situation by the hotel security. Upon his escape from FAB Hotel, then proceeded to Top View Hotel where he checked in at about 2:30 am on Wednesday, 18th September 2024. He invited his latest victim who arrived at about 9 am.
“He threatened her, putting fear in her and holding her by the throat, the frightened lady succumbed, she was stripped and bound hands, legs, and mouth by the suspect. On checking the victim’s phone he discovered the lady had no money in her bank account, He then took the victim’s Android phone and left the hotel room.
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“It was in the process of escaping from the hotel premises that his movement became suspicious, but in the process of trying to stop him, he took to his heels, he was chased and caught by NSCDC Operatives.”
The commandant clarified that “the video in circulation on this incident was not shot by the operatives of he NSCDC, we only became aware of its existence as it went viral on social media,” adding that as “corps we are duty bound and empowered to do due diligence before taking necessary steps towards prosecuting or handing over a suspect as the case may be to any relevant sister agency After our preliminary investigation, the suspect and the victim will be handed over to the relevant agency for any further necessary action.
Chukwuemeka, while recounting her ordeal, confirmed that Efe had lured her through a dating site called “Coded Runs,” promising her N100,000 in exchange for a meet-up. She said upon her arrival, he locked the hotel room, threatened her, and tied her up. After checking her phone and finding no money in her account, Efe allegedly took her phone and attempted to flee.
Efe, according to the NSCDC, confessed to have been into fraudulent businesses for about a month and had already extorted around N500,000 from four victims.
In his confession, Efe claimed he turned to fraud to raise money for the medical bills of his sister who is a sickle cell patient.
Odumosu warned hotel owners across Abuja to heightened vigilance on their premises to prevent their establishments from being used as havens for criminal activities.
WATCH VIDEO HERE
