••25-year-old Promise Eze Found Tied Up, Unconscious in Hotel Room
By Suleiman Ibrahim
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has rescued a young woman from a suspected armed robber and ritualist in Abuja. The command has also launched a manhunt for the suspect.
The incident occurred at a hotel in the Wuse district of Abuja, where 25-year-old Promise Eze from Ebonyi State was found tied to a small chair, her mouth covered with plaster. She was unconscious and in distress when officers arrived at the scene on January 31, 2025, following a distress call from hotel staff. The victim was rushed to Wuse District Hospital, where she regained consciousness.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Eze had checked into the hotel on January 30 with a man who identified himself as Emmanuel Okoro from Lagos State. However, she later disclosed that they had met online, where the suspect used the alias Michael Prince and claimed to be an oil company employee from Delta State.
According to a statement shared by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, on X (formerly Twitter), the police received a distress call from the hotel at approximately 11:30 AM on January 31st, reporting suspicious activity.
“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,” the statement read.
The police investigation revealed a “disturbing pattern of deception and violence.” Eze had checked into the hotel on January 30th at about 7:00 AM with the man who introduced himself as Emmanuel Okoro. During questioning, Eze explained that she met the suspect online, where he used the alias Michael Prince and claimed to be an oil company employee based in Delta State. He initially 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,” the police statement continued.
Before escaping, the victim overheard the suspect speaking to suspected accomplices over the phone, saying he was on his way to regroup before returning to the hotel to “finish the job.”
The FCT Police Command has launched a full-scale manhunt for the suspect. The Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Olatunji Disu, condemned the act of violence and urged residents, especially young women, to exercise caution when meeting individuals they do not know personally. He reassured the public of the police’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and called on anyone with information about the suspect to contact the police at the emergency lines: 08032003913 or the Complaint Response Unit: 08107314192.
