Mark Aba, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a man identified as Usman Mohammed over allegations of rape, sexual assault, physical abuse, intimidation and blackmail involving women, including widows and other financially vulnerable persons in Abuja.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, November 11, alleging that the suspect exploited money-lending arrangements to sexually abuse and intimidate female borrowers over outstanding debts.
According to the police, the Lugbe Police Division received a complaint on Friday, November 6, at about 7:05 p.m., accusing Mohammed of sexually assaulting, physically abusing and threatening several women over loans owed to him.
Following the report, police operatives, led by the Divisional Police Officer, launched efforts to track down the suspect. He was eventually located in the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) area of Lugbe.
The command said the suspect attempted to evade arrest by speeding off in his vehicle upon sighting the approaching officers. However, the operatives pursued and intercepted him before he could reach the expressway.
Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that Mohammed, a resident of FHA Lugbe, was allegedly involved in predatory lending activities targeting women, particularly widows and other vulnerable borrowers.
Adeh said that in the latest reported incident, the suspect allegedly lured a female borrower into his vehicle under the guise of discussing her outstanding debt before taking her to an isolated location in Lugbe.
He was accused of raping and sexually assaulting the woman, forcing her to undress and recording intimate videos of her without her consent.
The police further alleged that Mohammed subsequently threatened to release the recordings publicly and kill the victim if she failed to comply with his repayment demands.
The suspect is currently in police custody, where he is being interrogated. The command said he would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Reacting to the arrest, the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, condemned sexual exploitation, violence, intimidation and cyberbullying, urging residents to speak out against such abuses.
He particularly encouraged women and other vulnerable persons to report cases of sexual assault, threats and blackmail to the police rather than remain silent out of fear.
The command also urged members of the public to report similar incidents at the nearest police station.
The arrest has brought renewed attention to concerns over predatory lending practices and allegations that some money lenders exploit borrowers’ financial difficulties to perpetrate sexual violence, intimidation and blackmail.
About the Author
