Olivia Ijeoma Chukwuemeka, the Abuja hotel victim, has recounted her harrowing experience in the hands of Joseph Efe, a suspected ritualist.
A viral video recently circulated on social media showed Olivia bound and undressed. In the footage, the suspect is seen unwrapping the victim, who is already partially covered in cellophane.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) FCT command announced Efe’s arrest on Friday.
While parading Efe, the NSCDC revealed that the 30-year-old suspect specialises in luring women through a dating site known as ‘Coded Runs’ to rob them of their valuables.
During his confession, Efe admitted to meeting Chukwuemeka through the site before inviting her to the hotel.
Narrating her ordeal, Olivia said she resides in Enugu but frequently visits Abuja for “business” — although she did not state the nature of it.
“I met the suspect some months ago. I live in Enugu but visit Abuja for other business reasons,” she said.
She detailed how Efe allegedly assaulted her when she tried to resist.
“He said if I cooperate with him he will not hurt me like other girls. He said his friend was outside and if I made any wrong move, he injected me with something,” she said.
“I pleaded with him, he slapped me and asked me to strip my clothes. I tried to get to the door but it was locked by him and he held the keys.”
“He used my dress to tie my hands, but when it wasn’t tight enough, he switched to cellophane tape. He then turned up the television volume and gagged me with a handkerchief.”
She claimed Efe stole her phone and forced her to unlock it using her thumbprint before demanding her bank details.
She alleged that when he discovered her account was empty, he threatened her to stay silent and left the room.
She added that she alerted the hotel staff member after some time who she led to the direction where Efe had gone.
“I struggled and dragged myself to the window and banged it hard. Luckily, the guy heard me and I made a sign pointing in the direction the suspect went,” she added.
Meanwhile, the FCT Police Command has since requested the NSCDC to hand over Efe for further investigation.