Online Romance Scam Turns Deadly: Woman Rescued from Abuja Hotel After Attack
A 25-year-old woman, Promise Eze, narrowly escaped a horrifying ordeal after an online date took a terrifying turn at a hotel in Abuja. What started as a promising meeting with a supposed oil company employee ended in a fight for survival—one that could have cost her life.
Eze, who had traveled to meet a man she believed was her suitor, was found bound to a small chair, her mouth sealed with plaster, and unconscious in a hotel room in Wuse. The suspect, who introduced himself as Michael Prince, had actually checked in under the name Emmanuel Okoro. But by the time hotel staff discovered Eze on January 31, 2025, he had vanished—leaving behind a scene of horror and a desperate manhunt in his wake.
A Deceptive Encounter Turns Deadly
According to the victim, she met the suspect online, where he claimed to be an oil worker from Delta State. Their conversations quickly developed into what seemed like a potential romance. Initially, he invited her to Delta, but after she declined, they settled on meeting in Abuja.
Eze arrived at the hotel on January 30, unaware of the danger ahead. Shortly after checking in, the man’s demeanor changed. He allegedly pulled out a dagger, threatened her life, and overpowered her before tying her hands and legs and sealing her mouth with plaster. He then fled the scene with her two mobile phones.
But perhaps the most chilling part of her ordeal was what she overheard before losing consciousness. The suspect was reportedly on a call with unknown individuals, telling them he was “on his way” and would return to “finish the job.”
Hotel Staff’s Quick Thinking Saves a Life
The next morning, hotel staff, sensing something was wrong, raised an alarm. Their call to the police led officers to a horrifying discovery—Eze, barely clinging to life, tied up and unconscious. She was rushed to Wuse District Hospital, where she was resuscitated.
The suspect, however, had already disappeared, triggering a citywide manhunt by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command.
The Growing Threat of Online Scammers and Ritual Attacks
Eze’s story is a stark reminder of the dangers lurking behind online interactions. PIJAlance once cross-published a report by Dubawa, highlighting online romance scam. The rise of social media and dating platforms has created new avenues for scammers and criminals to prey on unsuspecting victims. While many people use these platforms for genuine connections, cases like this highlight the urgent need for caution.
The FCT Police Command has urged residents, especially young women, to be extremely vigilant when meeting people they do not know personally. Authorities say they are working tirelessly to track down the suspect and bring him to justice.
Eze’s survival is nothing short of a miracle, but her story serves as a chilling warning—not every online connection is what it seems.
Read Also: Scammers Are Extorting Parents With Their Dead Children’s Nude Images, FBI Says