A suspected sex worker, who appeared in a viral video undressed and tied to a chair in an Abuja hotel, has recounted her terrifying experience at the hands of a 30-year-old man initial identified as Alex but his real name is Joseph Efe.
The suspect, arrested for robbing the woman of her cellphone, claimed he committed the crime to raise funds for his sister suffering from sickle cell anemia.
The incident occurred at Top View Hotel in Abuja, where Efe had invited the victim after meeting her on a “hookup site.”
Efe admitted to binding the woman to prevent her from seeking help as he fled the scene.
“I tied her so she wouldn’t chase after me. I also told her to undress to delay her further,” he confessed to the press.
According to the victim, she met Efe months prior through the same site. She stated that upon entering the hotel, Efe threatened her, saying he would not harm her if she cooperated but mentioned his friend outside, threatening violence if she resisted.
The situation escalated when Efe locked the door, slapped her, and forced her to undress.
The woman described how Efe tied her hands with her dress and later used cellophane tape to restrain her more securely.
He increased the volume of the television to muffle any sounds and gagged her with a handkerchief.
Efe proceeded to steal her phone, unlocked it using her fingerprint, and demanded her bank details, only to find that she had no money in the account.
As Efe attempted to flee, the victim managed to attract the attention of hotel staff by banging on a window.
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) operatives, alerted by the hotel’s staff, arrested Efe as he tried to escape.
The NSCDC FCT Commandant, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, clarified that the viral video of the incident was not recorded by their operatives and emphasized that an investigation was ongoing.
Odumosu further urged hotel operators to enhance security measures to protect their guests and warned young women against engaging in the “hook-up” business, which he described as dangerous.
