Shock rippled through Abuja’s Gwarinpa district on Tuesday, June 18, 2025, as the lifeless body of a young woman, Aladi Offikwu Johnson—popularly known as Tessy—was discovered inside a hotel room, hands bound behind her back, after a man she checked in with vanished from the premises.
The tragic discovery was made by hotel staff during routine service rounds at the facility located on 3rd Avenue, Gwarinpa. Tessy, reportedly from Benue State, had checked in earlier that day with an unidentified male companion who was later seen leaving the hotel alone, drawing suspicion from employees. Staff who entered the room found her unconscious and immediately contacted the police.
Medical responders confirmed her death on the scene. What sparked outrage was the viral video circulating online showing Tessy’s hands bound—a haunting detail that hinted at possible foul play and ignited fears of rising hotel-related violence in the FCT. The clip has drawn massive attention, with calls for urgent justice reverberating across social media.
FCT Police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident on Wednesday, noting that the Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, had ordered a “discreet but thorough” investigation. She further confirmed that the suspect remains at large as detectives comb surveillance footage and guest logs to trace the man’s identity.
Residents and women’s rights groups have demanded swift action, urging the police not to allow the case to go cold. Several activists called on the hotel industry to improve security protocols, including requiring valid identification for all guests and digital check-in documentation to discourage criminal activity.
CP Adewale also used the moment to issue a public advisory, especially to young women, warning them to exercise extreme caution in their personal interactions and to inform trusted contacts of their movements. “This is a heartbreaking reminder of how vulnerable many people remain, especially women, in our city,” he stated.
While the autopsy and forensic analysis are ongoing, the police have promised to bring the perpetrator to justice and encouraged anyone with useful information to contact the Gwarinpa Divisional Police Station or the FCT Command directly. As Abuja reels from the horror of Tessy’s death, many are asking: How many more?
