The Edo State Police Command announced on Monday a N5 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Rachael Eboni Osazee Iyonmana, a Nigerian woman residing in Canada, who is accused of cyberbullying, stalking, defamation, and impersonation. In a briefing to journalists in Benin, the command’s spokesperson, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, explained that the suspect was listed as wanted in the Special Police Gazette Bulletin in January.
On 11 January, the Commissioner of Police received a petition from Comrade Festus Alenkhe, Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, alleging that Iyonmana had engaged in cyberbullying, stalking, and defamation of his character. The police subsequently wrote to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Force CID Annex, Alagbon Close, Ikoyi, Lagos, to request assistance. While the investigation was underway, intelligence confirmed that the suspect was in Canada.
According to Nwabuzor, Iyonmana created multiple Facebook accounts, using the petitioner’s photographs and full name, and posted demeaning, derogatory language to tarnish his reputation. “The suspect used the internet to bully and even defame his character,” he said. On 13 February, investigators discovered that, after being declared wanted, Iyonmana continued to operate additional Facebook accounts, again using the complainant’s picture and posting messages that appeared to come from him. “We want to make the public aware that those Facebook accounts created by Rachael were not the handiwork of the complainant. The suspect did that to make people believe that Festus is the one doing it,” the spokesperson added.
The police urged anyone with information about Iyonmana’s whereabouts in Nigeria to contact the office of the Commissioner of Police, the Public Relations Officer (PPRO), and the Anti‑Kidnapping and Cybercrime Unit. Informants will be eligible for the N5 million reward. Nwabuzor also noted that the Nigeria Police have coordinated with the Nigeria Immigration Service to facilitate the suspect’s arrest should she return to Nigeria.
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