. To prosecute three for vandalism
Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), have arrested a suspected Internet fraudster, popularly called Yahoo boys, who specialise in luring ladies via dating sites for classified purposes.
Parading the suspect, Commandant, NSCDC Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Command, Dr Oludola Odumosu, said that the suspect, 30-year-old Joseph Efe from Edo State, was apprehended by men of the agency while trying to escape from Top Rank hotel in Anua where he had tied up his female victim after seizing her mobile phone, stripped her naked and bound her hands, feet and mouth.
He said “Efe was arrested after coming out of the hotel premises allegedly to meet an accomplice, leaving his victim tied up in the hotel room. But for the eagled-eyed men of the NSCDC, FCT command, who noticed his suspicious movement and tried to stop him for questioning
“But instead of stopping, the suspect took to his heels after sighting the gallant officers by chased, caught and led back to his hotel room where the naked girl was found tied hands and legs with transparent adhesive tape.
According to him, “Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspect is a serial fraudster and a thief who specializes in luring ladies on dating sites, one of which is ‘coded runs’, into hotels rooms with the intent of robbing them of their phones and making withdrawals from the victims account (s).
“His first victim upon arrival in Abuja from Lagos, was another lady who he invited to his hotel room at FAB hotel where he first lodged but he did not succeed with her because the lady was able to put up some resistance.”
He said the suspect confessed to being a Yahoo boy and that he has not been making much from recently therefore, he opted to hunt for young girls on dating sites.
Dr. Odumosu explained further that the suspect who operates between Port Harcourt, Lagos, Benin and Abuja, met the suspect on one of the dating sites and later invited her for a meet after he ran away from FAB hotel where security was alerted after the first victim escaped.
“Regarding a viral video of the naked victim in circulation, the Commandant said “Let me make it abundantly clear that the video in circulation on this incident was not shot by operatives of the NSCDC, we only became aware of its existence after it went viral,” he said.
He adds that the suspect would be handed over to the Nigerian police for further action.
Responding to questions from journalists, the suspect, Efe, claims that he only invited the lady to spend some “good time’ together but she resisted hence he tied her up and confiscated her Android phone so that she could not call for help before he escaped.
“I invited her to come so we would have fun and get paid. I took her phone so that she wouldn’t follow me when I’m leaving. I asked her to take off her clothes too so that even if she unties herself and tries to follow me, I’ll be long gone before she can put on her clothes,” he said
Also speaking, the victim, (names withheld), said she agreed to meet but on arrival, he began to question her and later threatened her with death if she fails to cooperate with him. He later restricted her and tied her up before attempting to withdraw money from her Opay account but found that she had no money in the account, that was when he tried abandoning her and running away.
She said “When he found out that I had no money, he booked a ride, when it was one minute away he said his friend was outside, warning me not to make any move. I struggled to the window and started banging it until help came my way.”
Meanwhile, three other suspects have also been arrested by the agency for vandalizing and stealing armored cables from a transformer and Air Conditioners, (ACs), at various locations in the FCT,.
Commandant Odumosu said the three, would be handed over to relevant authorities for prosecution after proper profiling.
