Police say suspect allegedly lured female POS operators to secluded locations, raped and robbed victims, and threatened to circulate nude videos
The Enugu State Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old man, Ugbor Chika Paul, over alleged serial rape, robbery and sextortion involving female victims in Enugu, with investigators recovering a mobile phone reportedly containing nude images and videos of identified and unidentified women.
The arrest follows a series of disturbing allegations that the suspect exploited women’s trust, allegedly luring some female Point-of-Sale (POS) operators to secluded locations under the guise of conducting financial transactions before robbing and sexually assaulting them.
According to a press release issued by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, preliminary investigations also indicate that the suspect allegedly used Facebook, posing as Franklin Umeh, to lure another victim before subjecting her to sexual violence, robbery and threats involving an intimate video.
The allegations paint a disturbing picture of the reported exploitation of women engaged in small-scale businesses and the use of digital platforms to facilitate sexual abuse and extortion.
Three victims recount alleged attacks
The police said the first reported victim, a 20-year-old POS operator at Akwata Market, Enugu, was allegedly lured to a bush behind St. Peter’s Church, Coal Camp, at about 11 a.m. on May 21, 2026.
The suspect allegedly robbed and raped the woman, taking ₦600,000 from her.
In a second incident, a 30-year-old POS operator from the same market was allegedly lured to the same location at about 5 p.m. on August 11, 2026.
The police said the suspect allegedly robbed her of ₦120,000 and attempted to rape her, but the attempt was unsuccessful.
The third case involved a 21-year-old woman who was allegedly lured through Facebook by the suspect, who reportedly presented himself as Franklin Umeh.
The victim was allegedly directed to Old Park, Enugu, at about 11:30 a.m. on October 4, 2026, before being taken to a bush around Udi Siding, where the suspect allegedly raped and sexually assaulted her.
According to the police, the suspect allegedly recorded the woman nude and robbed her of ₦100,000 and her mobile phone.
He subsequently threatened to circulate the intimate video unless she paid ₦200,000, an allegation that points to the use of sexual violence and digital threats to extort a victim.
The police further alleged that the suspect used the victim’s phone to contact some of her WhatsApp contacts, raising concerns about the possible exposure of private information and the risk of further victimisation.
Phone allegedly contains intimate images of other women
A particularly troubling aspect of the investigation is the reported recovery of a mobile phone containing nude images and video clips of identified and unidentified victims.
The discovery raises the possibility that other women may have been targeted or recorded without their consent, although the police have not disclosed the number of potential victims or the full extent of the material recovered.
The Command has appealed to anyone who may have suffered similar attacks, cyberstalking or sextortion to come forward and assist investigators.
The appeal is especially significant because victims of sexual violence and image-based abuse may hesitate to report incidents for fear of stigma, intimidation, public humiliation or the unauthorised circulation of intimate images.
Police promise prosecution
The Enugu State Police Command said investigations were continuing and that the suspect would be arraigned in court upon their conclusion.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting residents against sexual violence, robbery and other criminal activities.
He urged members of the public, particularly women and business operators, to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the police.
The case underscores the need for women, particularly those operating cash-based businesses, to exercise caution when meeting unfamiliar customers and to report threats involving intimate images without delay.
The police have urged other possible victims to speak out as investigations continue.
