The Rivers State Police Command has apprehended a suspected serial r*pist, Israel Tamunokuro, who is accused of luring women through dating sites and social media to hotels, where he allegedly s*xually assaulted them and stole their valuables.
Tamunokuro, 34, who lives in Golf Estate on Odili Road, also reportedly drugged his victims, coercing them into revealing their ATM PINs before emptying their bank accounts.
His arrest occurred after surveillance by the Octopus Tactical Unit led police to a hotel where he was about to target another potential victim, unaware that law enforcement was monitoring his activities.
SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the state police spokesperson, confirmed the arrest to Punch on March 30, 2025, stating that an investigation is ongoing. “Israel Tamunokuro, 34, has been known for luring unsuspecting women through social media, particularly dating sites, into hotel rooms where he drugs, rapes, and robs them of their phones and other belongings,” she explained.
“After his assaults, he further exploits his victims by encouraging them to disclose their ATM passwords, allowing him to drain their bank accounts while they are incapacitated.”
According to Iringe-Koko, Tamunokuro would sell the stolen phones, jewelry, and other valuables to accomplices identified as Obere, who operates at Garrison Bus Stop, and Godwin, who works around Location Bus Stop on Ada George Road. Both accomplices remain at large and are currently being pursued by the police.
During questioning, Tamunokuro admitted to committing similar crimes in several cities, including Warri, Asaba, Awka, and Port Harcourt. He claimed to have stolen over 18 mobile phones in six months, often selling them for prices as high as N300,000 each. Investigations revealed that he had been involved in such criminal activities since 2017 and had previously served time in 2021 for similar offenses.
His latest apprehension stemmed from an attempt on December 28, 2024, when he, under the alias “Engineer Shola,” contacted a potential victim through social media and arranged to meet at a hotel on Peter Odili Road in Port Harcourt. After executing his plan and leaving the victim unconscious, he continued his crimes until January 25, 2025, when he targeted another woman who unexpectedly had ties to a previous victim.
Police intelligence led to his capture at the same hotel before he could carry out his scheme. Additionally, it was revealed that Tamunokuro is connected to a convicted r*pist, Dike Belema, with whom he has collaborated for the past eight years.
During the investigation, one of the stolen mobile phones was recovered from Stella Robinson, identified as Belema Dike’s wife, who acknowledged her awareness of her husband’s criminal activities.
Authorities are actively working to apprehend all individuals involved in this case, and those currently in custody will be charged in court once the investigation concludes.
