Onurube Condemns Rising Cases Of Sextortion, Digital Sexual Violence In Imo
Onurube, a coalition of human rights organizations, has expressed strong condemnation of the increasing incidents of sextortion and digital sexual violence occurring in Imo State.
Sextortion involves a male youth coercing a young woman into sexual activities by utilizing her private photographs, while digital sexual violence refers to the dissemination of such explicit images on digital platforms when the affected woman refuses to comply with his demands for sexual favours.
It was gathered that officers from the Owerri North Area Command apprehended two students from Imo State University (IMSU) Owerri in October of this year.
The individuals, both 200-level students from the Department of Computer Science, are identified as Damian Onuoha Ifeanyi and Ohiri Chidiebere.
Two additional accomplices reportedly evaded arrest and remain at large.
In a statement, Marjorie Ezihe, Executive Coordinator of Sisters With A Goal Initiative—one of the organizations comprising Onurube—expressed concern over the situation.
According to Ezihe, on Sunday, October 12, 2025, Onurube was alerted by a victim who received a “view once and delete” nude WhatsApp message from an unknown number.
She disclosed that the sender attempted to coerce her into a sexual encounter at a location in Owerri, threatening to release private materials if she refused.
Ezihe informed that the coalition was able to identify the suspected orchestrator, Mr. MacDonald Eze Okoro, and the immediately filed a formal petition to the Commissioner of Police, Imo State, on Friday, October 17, 2025.
The petition, she said was approved, and the case was assigned to the Imo North Police Area Command.
The Executive Coordinator of SWAG said the police launched a sting operation that resulted in the arrest of two suspects, Damian Onuoha Ifeanyi and Ohiri Chidiebere while two other accomplices escaped arrest and have remained at large.
Ezihe further reported that preliminary investigations revealed that the arrested suspects are part of a group involved in digital sexual exploitation of young women.
She revealed that a search of their mobile phones uncovered numerous explicit images and videos of other victims, pointing to a broader pattern of cyber-enabled sexual abuse.
She commended the Imo State Police Command for its prompt response and decisive action and enjoined all stakeholders—educational institutions, parents, students, and digital platforms—to strengthen collective efforts against online sexual violence.
The Coalition further urged survivors to speak up and report any form of digital coercion or abuse, assuring them of confidentiality and support.
