The Rivers State Police Command said its men have arrested a suspected serial rapist who lured women through dating sites to his hotel room, raped and dispossesed them of their valuables.

The police said the suspect, 34-year-old Israel Tamunokuro, who resides at Golf Estate in Odili Road also drugged his victims and forced them to disclose the pins of their ATM cards to him and subsequently emptied their accounts.

His arrest followed intelligence from the operatives of the Octopus Tactical Unit at a hotel where he was about executing the same from a prospective victim, not knowing the police were on his trail.

When contacted on Sunday, the spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the arrest, saying an investigation was ongoing.

She stated, “The suspect, Israel Tamunokuro, 34, is known for his criminal activities involving luring unsuspecting women through social media platforms, particularly dating sites, to hotel rooms where he drugs, rapes, and robs them of their phones and other valuables.

“He further exploits his victims by coaxing them to disclose their ATM passwords, subsequently emptying their bank accounts while they remain unconscious.

“Upon completing his illicit activities, Israel Tamunokuro sells stolen phones, jewellery, and other valuables to two identified receivers, Obere, who operates at Garrison Bus Stop, and Godwin, who operates around Location Bus Stop, Ada George Road.

“These accomplices remain at large and are currently being pursued by law enforcement authorities.”

She stated that during interrogation, the suspect confessed to perpetrating these crimes in multiple cities, including Warri, Asaba, Awka, and Port Harcourt.

“He admitted to stealing over 18 mobile phones within the past six months, which he sold for prices as high as N300,000 each.

“Further investigations revealed that he had been engaged in these criminal acts since 2017 and had previously been incarcerated in 2021 for similar offences.”

The state police image maker continued, “The arrest of Israel Tamunokuro followed his last attempted crime, which began on December 28, 2024.

Under the alias, ‘Engineer Shola,’ he connected with an unsuspecting victim on a social media platform and arranged a meeting at a hotel along Peter Odili Road, Port Harcourt.

“After executing his usual scheme, he fled the scene, leaving his victim unconscious. His criminal activities continued until January 25, 2025, when he targeted another woman who, unbeknownst to him, had connections to a previous victim.

“The police, acting on intelligence, successfully apprehended him at the same hotel before he could carry out his plan.

“Further investigations have revealed that Israel Tamunokuro is an accomplice to a convicted rapist, Dike Belema, with whom he has collaborated for the past eight years.

According to her, during the investigation, one of the stolen mobile phones was recovered from Stella Robinson, who was identified as the wife of Belema Dike and she admitted to knowing her husband’s criminal activities.

She hinted that efforts were ongoing to apprehend all individuals involved in this case and that the suspects currently in custody would be charged in court upon the conclusion of the investigation.

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested Arokodare Ebenezer, a Lekki-based businessman and proprietor of Damillionz Takeout, for his involvement in the shipment of 60 parcels of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, from the United States to Nigeria.

The 43-year-old businessman was arrested on Monday, March 24, 2025, at Bay Lounge, Admiralty Way in the Lekki area of Lagos, while awaiting the delivery of his latest drug consignment.

The agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, shared pictures of the seized contraband on X.com on Sunday.

“The bust followed a seizure on March 12, 2025, when NDLEA operatives intercepted seven large cartons containing the illicit drug at a logistics company in Lagos.

“The total weight of the cannabis seized from the suspect amounted to 32.24 kilograms after a subsequent search at his Lekki residence, where 94 grams of cannabis, a cannabis crusher, and other drug paraphernalia were found. Ebenezer revealed that he had been involved in the illicit drug trade since 2017,” the statement read.

It added, “Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested a Lekki-based businessman and proprietor of Damillionz Takeout, Arokodare Damil Ebenezer in connection with the shipment of 60 parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, from the United States of America to Nigeria.

“The 43-year-old businessman was arrested at Bay Lounge, Admiralty Way, Lekki area of Lagos where he does his illicit drug business on Monday 24th March 2025 while he was expecting to take the delivery of his latest drug consignment. His arrest followed the seizure of his cargo that arrived Nigeria in seven big cartons at a logistics company in Lagos on 12th March by NDLEA operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation.

“After his arrest, he was taken to his Lekki home for a search during which 94grams of the same psychoactive substance, cannabis crusher and other drug paraphernalia were recovered. This brings the total weight of the drug seized from him to 32.24 kilograms. In his statement, he claimed he started the illicit drug business in 2017.”

In a related operation, NDLEA officers foiled an attempt by an Italy-based businessman, Omoruyi Terry, to export 1,400 pills of tramadol (225mg) weighing 800 grams to Italy.

The statement added, “Attempt by another businessman Omoruyi Terry to export 1,400 pills of tramadol 225mg weighing 800 grams to Italy has also been thwarted by NDLEA officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos.

“Omoruyi was intercepted at the screening point of terminal 2 of the Lagos airport on his way to Italy via a Qatar Airways flight. Investigation reveals the suspect is an Italy based frequent traveler and logistics agent.”

Meanwhile, in Katsina State, NDLEA operatives arrested four suspects, Baraka Abubakar, 40; Haruna Alitine, 23; Muhammad Babangida, 20; and Hamisu Lawal on March 28, 2025, following an intelligence-led raid at Godai village in Daura Local Government Area.

The operation led to the recovery of 684 blocks of compressed skunk (423kg) and 86,000 pills of diazepam.

The statement added, “In Katsina, four suspects: Baraka Abubakar, 40; Haruna Alitine, 23; Muhammad Babangida, 20; and Hamisu Lawal, were arrested on Friday 28th March during an intelligence led raid operation at Godai village in Daura LGA where 684 blocks of compressed skunk, a strain of cannabis weighing 423kg and 86,000 pills of diazepam were recovered from them.

“The three male suspects were arrested while repackaging the diazepam tablets into other containers while Baraka, the female suspect was apprehended with the heaps of skunk in her house.”

NDLEA operatives also destroyed 13,198 kilograms of cannabis sativa in Edo State. Additionally, 158 kilograms of cannabis were seized for potential prosecution.

The statement revealed, “Not less than 13,198 kilograms of cannabis sativa were destroyed in Edo forests across parts of the state between Monday 24th and Friday 28th March by NDLEA operatives who also evacuated 158kg of same substance for possible prosecution.

“The forests where no fewer than four cannabis plantations were discovered and destroyed include: Uhen forest, Ovia North East LGA; Sobe, Owan West LGA; and Amahor forest in Igueben LGA.”

Other notable operations occurred in Niger, Enugu, Kwara, and Oyo states, where substantial amounts of skunk were seized.

On March 28, NDLEA officers intercepted a black Toyota Corolla in Niger state, seizing 77.6 kilograms of compressed cannabis hidden in the vehicle’s false bottom.

Another 50 kilograms of skunk were recovered from the home of a suspect, Isa Iliya, in Wawa village, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

The statement added, “In Niger State, NDLEA officers on patrol along Mokwa-Jebba road on Friday 28th March intercepted a black Toyota Corolla car marked SLM 137 SV and arrested the two occupants in possession of 179 blocks of compressed skunk with a total weight of 77.6kg concealed in false bottom of the vehicle.

“The two suspects are: Paul Christopher, 46, and Lucky Star Anumie. In another operation, 50kg skunk was on Saturday 29th March recovered from the home of a suspect, Isa Iliya, who is currently at large, in Wawa village, Borgu council area of the state.

“While 108.5kg of skunk was recovered from lockup shops at Aria New Market, in Enugu metropolis, Enugu state by NDLEA operatives on Tuesday 25th March, 25kg of same substance was seized from a suspect Abdulrazak Saka at Kilako Area of Ilorin, Kwara State on Monday 24th March.

“Another suspect Suli Saheed, 50, was nabbed with 2.5 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud and 515 grams of Colorado, at Olomi Academy area of Ibadan, Oyo state.:

As part of its ongoing War Against Drug Abuse initiative, NDLEA continued its sensitisation efforts, delivering lectures at schools, workplaces, and communities nationwide.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), praised the agency’s personnel for their successful operations and urged continued vigilance in the fight against drug abuse.

The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory has confirmed the killing of a security operative in a violent attack by the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria.

In a statement on Friday in Abuja, the Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed that 19 suspects had been arrested in connection with the attack, which occurred around the Banex Plaza area of Wuse 2 in Abuja.

Adeh stated that at about 2:20 p.m. on Friday, the command received a distress call regarding a violent assault on security personnel by members of the proscribed IMN.

According to her, members of the group were armed with firearms, cutlasses, catapults, sticks, stones, petrol bombs, and other lethal weapons.

“Upon swift deployment to the scene, police and security personnel encountered intense gunfire from the attackers, resulting in serious injuries to three security operatives.

“They were promptly transported to the National Hospital, where one was pronounced dead,” she said.

Adeh confirmed that normalcy had been restored in the area, adding that investigations were ongoing to ensure all perpetrators were brought to justice.

She noted that the Commissioner of Police in charge of the FCT, Mr Ajao Adewale, had condemned the unprovoked attack on security operatives by members of the proscribed group.

The CP stated that steps were being taken to apprehend those responsible for the heinous act, warning that attacks on security operatives would not be tolerated.

Adewale urged FCT residents to remain calm, cooperate with law enforcement agencies, and report suspicious activities to the command on 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653, or 08028940883.

NAN

Three suspects have been arrested by the Edo State Police Command over an attack on a fuel station and damaging a pump machine worth about N3.6m.

The attack was said to have occurred on Thursday in Ewato Community, Esan South East Local Government Area of the state.

One of the suspects known as Biggy and others have been arrested and detained at the Ewohimi Police Division.

The state police spokesperson, Moses Yamu, who confirmed the incident to our correspondent said the suspect carried out the attack on the gas station and damaged pump machines worth N3.6m, adding that the suspects were currently in police custody.

He said, “The suspect damaged pump machines at the filling station estimated to the tune of N3.6m because a sales girl declined his advances.”

He, however, assured that the matter would be treated with the attention it deserved and ensure that he is prosecuted according to the law.

The owner of the fuel station, the Iyase of Ewato, Chief Kenneth Ezojie, said he was called on Tuesday that Biggy and two others vandalised the place over the refusal by his sales girl to sleep with Biggy for N5,000.

He said, “Three months ago, hoodlums destroyed my station. While we had yet to recover from that, on Tuesday, around 8:30 pm, Biggy came and asked my sales girl to sleep with him for N5,000.and she refused,” he said.

“Due to the fact that she rejected him, Biggy beat her up. On Thursday morning, my manager rushed to tell me Biggy returned and damaged the fuel meters,” he added.

Ezojie appealed to security agencies to protect his business and ensure the suspects are prosecuted.

According to a member of the community, who pleaded anonymity, elders and members of community were happy that the criminal elements terrorising the community had been arrested and handed over to the police.

The Gombe State Police Command on Thursday disclosed the arrest of three suspects in connection with the theft of $35,000 and the arson of a house in New GRA, Gombe.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, “On March 22, 2025, at about 2000hrs, a distress call was received from New GRA, Gombe, behind Legislative Quarters, that one Hannatu Ibrahim, a cook to one Mohammed Jurdi, a Syrian, attached to Mejay Concrete Construction Limited, stole his money and set his house ablaze.”

Our correspondent reports that the prime suspect, Hannatu Ibrahim, was arrested, and upon investigation, she was found in possession of $7,100. She also revealed that the second suspect, Ahmed Adamu, was the first person she contacted after the theft.

The second suspect was arrested, and $100 was found in his possession. The third suspect, Abubakar Ibrahim, who was the security man to the victim, was also arrested in connection with the alleged crime.”

Abdullahi said the case would soon be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.

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The Gombe State Police Command announced the arrest of three individuals on Thursday in connection with the theft of $35,000 and the arson of a house in New GRA, Gombe.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, “On 22/03/2025, at about 2000hrs, a distress call was received from New GRA, Gombe, behind Legislative Quarters, that one Hannatu Ibrahim, a cook to one Mohammed Jurdi, a Syrian attache to Mejay Concrete Construction Limited, stole his money and set his house ablaze.”

Our correspondent reports that the primary suspect, Hannatu Ibrahim, was apprehended, and upon investigation, she was found in possession of $7,100.

“She also disclosed that the second suspect, Ahmed Adamu, was the first person she contacted after the theft.

“The second suspect was arrested, with $100 found in his possession. The third suspect, Abubakar Ibrahim, the victim’s security guard, was also arrested in connection with the alleged crime.

“The case will soon be charged to court upon completion of the investigation,” DSP Abdullahi stated.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from TheNigerian.

Contact: [email protected]