The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested a 24-year-old student of Modibbo Adama University, Yola, for allegedly engaging in multiple cybercrimes, including impersonation, sextortion, and cyberstalking.
The suspect, identified as Paul John, a 500-level student and resident of Jiddel in Michika Local Government Area, was taken into custody after police uncovered that he had been operating numerous fake social media accounts using the photos of unsuspecting women without their consent.
According to the police, the fraudulent accounts bore names such as Rose YarLele, Procious Favourite, Wange Precious, and Joy Dennis. The suspect allegedly used the victims’ photos to post explicit and defamatory captions like “sexy lesbian” and “I am lesbian,” causing significant emotional and reputational damage.
Investigations further revealed that John used these fake profiles to lure some victims into sharing nude images, which he then used to blackmail and extort them. In several instances, he reportedly demanded money and sexual favors, while also advertising the women for “hookup” services on social media platforms.
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“These actions inflicted serious emotional, financial, and psychological harm on several victims,” the police said in a statement.
Acting on credible intelligence, officers from the Commissioner of Police’s Monitoring Unit tracked and arrested the suspect. He remains in custody as investigations continue.
Commissioner of Police Dankombo Morris has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the case and directed that the suspect be charged to court upon its conclusion. In a statement issued by Police Public Relations Officer Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, the Command warned that it will not tolerate online criminal activities, urging those involved in sextortion and cyberstalking to desist or face legal consequences.
The police also advised the public, particularly women, to be cautious when sharing personal content online and to avoid interactions with strangers who request sensitive information or images.
The Command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the dignity, safety, and rights of residents both offline and online, and urged the public to report any suspicious cyber activities or incidents of online blackmail to law enforcement authorities promptly.
