A 30-year-old man, Joseph Efe, who was arrested for stealing a cellphone from a commercial sex worker, said he committed the crime to raise money for his sister who has sickle cell anemia.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) FCT Commandant, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, while briefing the Press on Friday, said that the suspect was arrested on Wednesday at the Top View Hotel in Abuja.
Efe, during his confession before newsmen, said that he met the victim on a hookup site before inviting her to the said location. The suspect said he tied the victim to prevent her from getting help as he exited the hotel after stealing from her.
“I tied her so that she would not run after me as I fled. I told her to take off her clothes so that even if she is able to untie herself, before she puts on her clothes, I would be long gone,” Efe said.
He added that prior to his arrest, he had stolen from four victims in Port Harcourt , Lagos and Abuja.
Narrating her ordeal, the woman (name withheld) said that she had been on the hookup site, otherwise known as coded site.
”I met the suspect some months ago. I live in Enugu but visit Abuja for other business reasons. When I got to the hotel, the suspect asked me if I was afraid of death.
“He said if I cooperated with him, he will not hurt me like other girls. He said his friend was outside and if I made any wrong move, he would inject me with something.
“I pleaded with him, he slapped me and asked me to strip naked. I tried to get to the door but it was locked by him and he held the keys,” she said.
She alleged that he used her dress to tie her hands, but when it was not tight enough, he took out a cellophane tape.
“He turned the television volume very high and blocked my mouth with a handkerchief,” she said.
She further said that he stole her phone, unlocked it by forcing her thumb on the screen and asked for her bank account details.
She said after unlocking the phone, he discovered that she didn’t have money in the account.
“He warned me not to make any noise and left the room. I later noticed movements outside the door and saw the colour of the uniform the person was wearing and was relieved that it was the hotel staff.
“I struggled and dragged myself to the window and banged it hard. Luckily, the guy heard me and I made a sign pointing at the direction the suspect went,” she said.
According to the NSCDC FCT Commandant, it was in the process of the suspect trying to escape from the hotel premises that his movement became suspicious and in the process of trying to stop him, he took to his heels before being chased and caught by NSCDC operatives.
Odumosu said that the video circulated on social media of the lady and the victim in the hotel room was not recorded by NSCDC operatives.
“Let it be made clear that the video in circulation on this incident was not shot by the operatives of the NSCDC, as we only became aware of its existence when it went viral on social media,” he said.
He added that after preliminary investigation, the suspect and victim will be handed over to the relevant agency for further necessary actions and investigation.
“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,” he said.
The commandant warned hotel operators to be more vigilant and should do better in protecting guests.
“Ensure your hotel facilities and premises are not used as a place to perpetuate crime.
“Let me also caution all young ladies also known as ‘runs girls’ to desist from acts that will endanger their lives, but should rather engage in legitimate business to earn a living,” he said. (NAN)
