Crime
Arrest: How widow lured Lagos bizman circulating ex-lovers’ nudes
Our correspondent had reported in a special feature on Sunday that two women, Kester and Temi, met Kennedy separately on different WhatsApp and Facebook chat groups for singles.
Kester, who lost her husband about eight years ago in a car crash, said the banker turned businessman, after chatting her up, started showering her with monetary gifts.
However, after a disagreement, he sent her over 50 of her nude photos which he secretly took after their lovemaking in a hotel.
She said the Umunze, Anambra State indigene, demanded N100,000 from her as a condition to delete the photos.
The mother of two noted that after she sent the money and asked if the photos had been deleted, he demanded an additional N40,000 to delete them permanently, which she sent to him.
Despite the payments, the suspect went ahead to circulate the photos on Facebook.
Kester said she attempted suicide twice but failed, as some of those who saw the images started questioning her.
The second victim, Temi, said the suspect usually had marathon sex with her in hotels while under the influence of drugs, and afterwards gave her N1,000 as transport fares.
She noted that after she discovered that he was not serious about the relationship and was merely using her, she stopped talking to him.
However, Kennedy sent her several of her nude photos and demanded all the money he had spent on her in the relationship.
She said she borrowed N15,000, which she sent to him.
However, after she appealed to his sister on Facebook for help to talk to him, he started circulating the nude photos.
Temi said the businessman regularly called her to demand money.
After the report was published, the suspect on Monday threatened to continue to damage the reputation of the women for “spoiling my image.”
He then started sending the nude photos to their Facebook friends, family members, co-workers and church members.
Kennedy also sent the nude photos to Kester’s in-laws, vowing that “by the time I am done, suicide will be her only option.”
After a series of reports on his continued criminal act, the suspect on Thursday accused this reporter of being “a tribal bigot and an idiot”.
He poured expletives on the journalist, querying why he was “bent on destroying” him.
That night, Kester informed this reporter of a plan to lure Kennedy out of his hiding, saying she had agreed to resolve issues with him.
The peace meeting was mediated by a rights activist, Arike Adelodun.
On Friday morning, the day of the meeting, Adelodun called this reporter on the phone to say the suspect decried PUNCH’s continuous reports on the matter.
She said he wanted an assurance that the report would stop, as part of the conditions for the meeting, where he would delete all the nudes.
After she called back, this reporter agreed to stop reporting on the matter pending when he would get feedback from the women “by the end of today”.
Our correspondent was told that Kennedy did not send the meeting location until around 7am on Friday; he fixed the meeting for 9am at an eatery at Oshodi.
Around 12 noon, the suspect was arrested.
Kester, who spoke on the phone, said she felt like “someone who just won a visa to Canada.”
“I feel excited; this has traumatised me so much. My daughters will see the mummy they have always known,” she added with a laugh.
Recalling the arrest, she said, “My friend who mediated created a group for me and Kennedy. We had a video call yesterday (Thursday) where he said he still had the (nude) pictures on his phones. He said we should meet somewhere so I could use my own hands to delete them. I agreed. We asked him to choose the location and time.
“However, when he saw your publication that day, he said I should reach an agreement with you to stop reporting. That was when you agreed to stop after everything had been settled.
“He gave us the location and address. The police had, however, got there even before we arrived. They were hanging around. They took my pictures and we sent his pictures to them. Kennedy came to the bus stop to pick me and my friend. A policeman was already in the eatery. As we were about to enter the eatery, the police arrested him.
“He then started begging the police officer to shoot him and let him die. The man refused. I then told him that the death he wished me, he would beg for it and would not see it.”
She said she was looking forward to the arraignment of the suspect.
The founder of a rights group, Black Diamonds Support Foundation, Defunke Adewunmi, commended the state Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa, and the gender unit for providing support for the success of the sting operation.
“While I was talking to the victim and her friend whom we used to bait him, I was also speaking to the commander of the CP’s surveillance team. The suspect changed the venue three times before the surveillance team caught him.
“I am glad for the arrest. I hope the victims can eventually get closure and justice would be served as quickly as possible,” she added.
Adewunmi’s organisation provided support for the women while the suspect circulated their nudes.
She had said nine widows and three single mothers claimed the suspect blackmailed them.
Reacting to the arrest, the second victim, Temi, said, “I can say this is the happiest day of my life. I’ll finally have peace of mind. I just feel like going out for fresh air and to enjoy myself. I feel really relieved.
“For over a year now, he has been a threat to my life. Every day, once I see his message, my heart starts pounding. These past few days when he saw that the matter was in the media, he started tormenting me again for having the courage to speak.
“He had told us that nobody can catch him. We have been to different places for help. It’s either they are demanding money from us or giving excuses as if it’s not possible. This guy told us he had an anti-tracker on his phone, and truthfully, they had been tracking him for a long time. But he kept escaping. I believe with his arrest, more women will come out.”
She said the suspect’s action had damaged her business.
“I do online business and two of my customers no longer talk to me. I am in a Facebook group where single mothers get help. But he sent the nudes to one of the people there and they said if the group admin sees the nude, I would be removed,” she added.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the development after tweeting the suspect’s photo.
He noted that investigation was ongoing into the matter.
PUNCH
…Suspect allegedly targeted female POS operators, used Facebook to lure victims
The Enugu State Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old man, Ugbor Chika Paul, over allegations of serial rape, armed robbery and sextortion involving female victims in different parts of the state.
The Command disclosed that a mobile phone recovered from the suspect contained nude photographs and video recordings of several identified and unidentified female victims.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly specialised in luring female Point-of-Sale (POS) operators to isolated locations under the guise of conducting financial transactions before robbing and sexually assaulting them.
According to the police, the suspect also operated a Facebook account under the fictitious name, Franklin Umeh, which he allegedly used to lure another victim into his trap.
Giving details of the incidents, Ndukwe said the first victim, a 20-year-old POS operator at Akwata Market, Enugu, was allegedly lured to a bush behind St. Peter’s Church, Coal Camp, around 11 a.m. on May 21, 2026.
The suspect reportedly raped the victim and dispossessed her of N600,000.
In another incident on August 11, 2026, a 30-year-old female POS operator from the same market was allegedly taken to the same location around 5 p.m., where the suspect attempted to rape her before robbing her of approximately N120,000.
The police further disclosed that a third victim, aged 21, was allegedly contacted through Facebook by the suspect, who introduced himself as Franklin Umeh.
She was reportedly lured to Old Park, Enugu, around 11:30 a.m. on October 4, 2026, before being taken to a secluded bush around Udi Siding.
At the location, the suspect allegedly raped and sexually assaulted her, recorded her nakedness and robbed her of N100,000 and her mobile phone.
He subsequently demanded an additional N200,000 from the victim, threatening to circulate her nude video if she failed to comply.
The police alleged that he also used the victim’s stolen phone to contact some individuals on her WhatsApp contact list.
Ndukwe confirmed that investigations were ongoing, adding that the suspect would be arraigned in court upon their conclusion.
The Command appealed to other persons who might have fallen victim to the suspect’s activities to come forward with useful information to assist investigators.
It equally encouraged women experiencing cyberstalking, sexual blackmail or sextortion to report such incidents to the police rather than suffer in silence.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, reaffirmed the Command’s determination to tackle sexual violence, robbery and other criminal activities across Enugu State.
He urged residents, particularly women and business operators, to remain security-conscious and promptly report suspicious movements and activities to the nearest police formation.
The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested one Ugwumba Enyinnaya for allegedly posing as a qualified legal practitioner and engaging in legal practice for over 11 years without the required credentials.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday, explaining that the suspect was apprehended following investigations into a petition bordering on obtaining money under false pretence.
According to the police, Enyinnaya allegedly collected N650,000 from one Chukwu David in March 2026, claiming he would facilitate the processing and approval of a street-naming request in Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state.
The petitioner reportedly entrusted the money to the suspect after he presented himself as an experienced lawyer capable of handling the transaction.
However, investigations by police operatives subsequently revealed that Enyinnaya had allegedly been impersonating a legal practitioner for more than a decade.
Police said the suspect admitted during interrogation that he was not a qualified lawyer.
A search conducted at his residence reportedly led to the recovery of several items, including a Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) seal, a portrait showing him dressed in barrister’s attire, a legal wig and gown, and purported Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) certificates bearing the name of Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
Other exhibits recovered included court judgments allegedly obtained by the suspect and several legal documents purportedly prepared by him, including powers of attorney and deeds of conveyance.
The command confirmed that the suspect had been charged to court.
Reacting to the development, the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, CP Hope Okafor, commended the investigating officers for exposing the alleged impersonation.
She urged residents to exercise caution when engaging individuals offering legal services and ensure that their professional qualifications are properly verified.
The commissioner further encouraged members of the public to report suspicious individuals and activities to the police to prevent unsuspecting citizens from falling victim to fraud.
By Our Reporter
The Forum of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) State Chairmen has called on President Bola Tinubu, security agencies and the international community to intervene in Ebonyi State over allegations of political intimidation, attacks, abductions, killings and restrictions on opposition activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The forum, led by its chairman, Austin Nwachukwu, made the call at a press conference in Abakaliki, where it accused Governor Francis Nwifuru’s administration of creating an atmosphere of fear for opposition members.
The allegations were contained in a statement in which the forum expressed concern over the reported attacks on PDP leaders, candidates, executives and supporters, as well as the alleged destruction of property and unlawful detention of party members.
“No governor owns the state, no political party owns the people, and no public office holder or office confers a licence to intimidate, assault or silence citizens,” the forum declared.
It called on Nwifuru, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Security Adviser and President Tinubu to take urgent steps to protect lives, investigate the allegations and safeguard democratic participation in the state.
The forum alleged that the PDP state secretariat was sealed on May 25, 2026, following an order reportedly issued by the governor, with more than 150 security personnel deployed to cordon off the premises.
According to the group, the action prevented members of the party’s State Working Committee from accessing their offices.
It further alleged that the governor made threatening remarks against opposition members in June and September, including a reported directive to local government chairmen to deal harshly with the PDP.
The forum cited several incidents of alleged political violence, including an attack on PDP members attending a rally in Ezza South Local Government Area on August 1, which reportedly left 10 people critically injured.
It also alleged that the residence of a 73-year-old party leader, Chief Christopher Ngwuta, was attacked on August 4 during a consultative meeting.
The statement claimed that Ngwuta’s wife, Blessing, subsequently lost a four-month pregnancy following the incident.
Other incidents highlighted included an alleged attack on the PDP House of Representatives candidate for Ohanaivo Federal Constituency, Igboke Felix Ogbonna, and his aides on August 16, as well as the reported destruction of property belonging to PDP leader Arinze Oyibe in Abaomege on September 9.
The forum further alleged that armed men disrupted a PDP political and economic summit at Veneza Hotel in Abakaliki on September 19, injuring participants and robbing attendees of valuables.
It also expressed concern over the reported arrest and continued detention of the PDP State Woman Leader, Chinyere Nwele, on October 15.
The group urged the police to disclose the legal basis for her detention and ensure that due process was followed.
The forum also alleged that Jimo Guest House, owned by PDP youth leader Jimo Abu, was sealed by government agents on October 20, before Abu was reportedly abducted the following day.
According to the statement, Abu was allegedly forced at gunpoint to renounce his PDP membership and declare support for the governor.
The group called for an investigation into the reported attack on security personnel in Amaezekwe village, Ezza South Local Government Area, on October 22.
It also demanded an investigation into the alleged abduction and killing of Elder Onwe Obochi of Oshege village in Ohaukwu Local Government Area.
On the conduct of security agencies, the forum expressed dissatisfaction with what it described as the police response to complaints involving alleged attacks on opposition members.
It also raised questions about a reported accommodation arrangement involving the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police and Meritona Hotel in Abakaliki, which the forum alleged was owned by the governor.
The group acknowledged that the reported arrangement did not, in itself, establish wrongdoing but called for clarification to protect public confidence in the impartiality of the police.
The forum urged the Inspector-General of Police to establish an independent investigative team to examine the reported attacks, threats, abductions, killings, armed robbery and destruction of property.
It also called on the DSS to conduct an independent security assessment of the allegations and work with relevant agencies to prevent further attacks.
The National Security Adviser was urged to coordinate preventive measures and brief the Federal Government on the reported security concerns, while President Tinubu was asked to ensure impartial investigations and equal protection for citizens regardless of political affiliation.
The forum also appealed to the United Nations, African Union, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), diplomatic missions and international human rights organisations to monitor credible reports of political violence and restrictions on democratic freedoms in Ebonyi.
On political activities, it alleged that some parties enjoyed access to public facilities while PDP gatherings faced restrictions, insisting that public authority should not be used to disadvantage opposition parties.
The group urged Nwifuru to publicly condemn political violence, clarify the alleged threats against PDP members, explain the legal basis for the reported sealing of the party secretariat and Jimo Guest House, and cooperate with independent investigations.
It maintained that anyone found culpable after a credible investigation should face the appropriate legal consequences, irrespective of political affiliation or official position.
The forum concluded by urging the PDP governorship candidate in Ebonyi State, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, to remain focused and continue engaging residents peacefully ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The allegations require independent investigation, and responses from the Ebonyi State Government and the relevant security agencies would be important in establishing the facts surrounding the reported incidents.
A 28-year-old suspected gunman allegedly robbed a female Point-of-Sale (POS) operator of N200,000 at gunpoint in Obollo-Afor, Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, threatening to shoot anyone who attempted to pursue him.
The incident occurred at about 9 a.m. on October 17, 2026, at the victim’s POS shop along Old Orba Road, Uhulor, Obollo-Afor.
The suspect, identified as Michael Ayisa, reportedly stormed the business premises armed with a pistol and dispossessed the operator of N200,000 before fleeing the scene.
It was gathered that the victim raised an alarm during the robbery, attracting the attention of residents, but the suspect allegedly threatened to open fire on anyone who attempted to apprehend him.
Confirming the incident in a statement on Sunday, the Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said operatives of the Udenu Police Division, assisted by members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group, subsequently launched an operation that led to the suspect’s arrest.
According to him, Ayisa was apprehended at about 12:26 p.m. on October 18, barely 28 hours after the robbery.
A Beretta-like pistol and an expended 9mm ammunition shell were recovered during the operation.
Ndukwe disclosed that the suspect confessed to the crime during interrogation and would be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has commended the operatives and members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group for their roles in the arrest.
He reiterated the Command’s commitment to tackling armed robbery and other criminal activities across Enugu State, urging residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements to security agencies.
Clarify the Arrest Timeline
Tighten the Opening Paragraph
Use More Cautious Crime Wording
A police corporal attached to the Ajaokuta Division of the Kogi State Police Command has reportedly shot his girlfriend dead before taking his own life with his service rifle.
The incident allegedly occurred around 9 p.m. on Friday, October 23, 2026, leaving both the officer and the woman dead.
According to a report by Veracity News, the officer allegedly shot the woman at close range before turning the weapon on himself.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, while the motive behind the alleged killings has yet to be established.
The bodies of the deceased were reportedly evacuated to a mortuary as investigations into the incident commenced.
Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the Kogi State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Afusat, could not be reached for comment, according to the publication.
The incident is expected to be investigated to establish the circumstances leading to the deaths and determine the events that preceded the shooting.
As of the time of filing this report, no further details about the identities of the deceased or the outcome of the investigation had been provided in the original report.
Editor’s note: The incident and details in this report have not been independently verified. An official statement from the Kogi State Police Command would be needed to confirm the circumstances of the deaths.
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