The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a suspected serial rapist, Israel Tamunokuro, for luring women through social media and dating sites. He would take them to hotels, drug them, assault them, and steal their belongings.
Tamunokuro, 34, who lives in Golf Estate, Odili Road, was caught by officers of the Octopus Tactical Unit while attempting to trap another victim in a hotel. Unaware that the police were tracking him, he fell into their hands before executing his plan.
According to the police spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, Tamunokuro had a pattern of meeting women online, gaining their trust, and then taking them to hotel rooms where he drugged them. He forced them to reveal their ATM card PINs and emptied their bank accounts while they were unconscious.
Additionally, he sold stolen phones, jewelry, and other valuables to two known buyers, Obere and Godwin, who are still on the run.
During interrogation, Tamunokuro admitted to committing similar crimes in different cities, including Warri, Asaba, Awka, and Port Harcourt. He confessed to stealing over 18 mobile phones in the past six months, some of which he sold for as much as N300,000 each.
Police investigations revealed that he had been engaged in these criminal activities since 2017 and was previously jailed in 2021 for similar offenses.
His latest crime began on December 28, 2024, under the fake identity of ‘Engineer Shola.’ He met a woman online and arranged a meeting at a hotel in Port Harcourt, where he drugged and robbed her before escaping. His crimes continued until January 25, 2025, when he targeted another woman. However, she had connections to a past victim, which led to his arrest.
Police also discovered that Tamunokuro worked with a convicted rapist, Dike Belema, for the past eight years. During the investigation, one of the stolen phones was found with Belema’s wife, Stella Robinson, who admitted to knowing about her husband’s criminal activities.
The police are actively working to arrest all those involved. The suspects in custody will face charges in court once investigations are completed.
This case highlights the dangers of online dating and the importance of being cautious when meeting strangers. The police encourage the public to report any suspicious activities to help prevent such crimes.
