Rivers Police Arrest Serial Rapist Who Lured Victims Through Dating Sites

 

The Rivers State Police Command has apprehended a suspected serial rapist, Israel Tamunokuro, who allegedly used dating sites to lure women to hotels, where he drugged, assaulted, and robbed them.

Tamunokuro, 34, who resides at Golf Estate, Odili Road, Port Harcourt, reportedly forced his victims to disclose their ATM PINs, subsequently draining their bank accounts. He also sold their stolen valuables, including mobile phones and jewelry.

His arrest came after intelligence gathered by operatives of the Octopus Tactical Unit, who tracked him to a hotel where he was about to execute his scheme on another unsuspecting victim.

SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, confirmed the arrest on Sunday, March 30, 2025.

“The suspect, Israel Tamunokuro, has been involved in 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.”

Tamunokuro confessed to committing these crimes in multiple cities, including Warri, Asaba, Awka, and Port Harcourt. He admitted to stealing over 18 mobile phones in the past six months, selling them for as much as N300,000 each. Investigations revealed he had been involved in these criminal activities since 2017 and was previously jailed in 2021 for similar offences. His last attempted crime, which led to his arrest, was on December 28, 2024, when he lured a victim under the alias "Engineer Shola" and left her unconscious in a hotel room.

Tamunokuro is also linked to a convicted rapist, Dike Belema, with whom he had collaborated for eight years.

The police have identified two stolen goods dealers: Obere (operates at Garrison Bus Stop) and Godwin (operates around Location Bus Stop, Ada George Road).

During the investigation, a stolen mobile phone was recovered from Stella Robinson, the wife of Dike Belema, who admitted to being aware of her husband’s criminal activities.

The hunt for all accomplices is ongoing, and those already in custody will face prosecution upon completion of investigations.

This arrest marks a significant breakthrough in the fight against sexual violence and cybercrime in Rivers State. The police urge the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.