Abuja police arrest lender over alleged sexual assault of borrower
A woman in Lugbe went to police after a dispute over a loan took a far more serious turn. The FCT Police Command says it has arrested a moneylender accused of sexually assaulting her and recording her naked.
Police identified the suspect as Ahmed Usman. The woman, a nursing mother, reported the incident at Lugbe Division on November 5. The command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, described the case in a video shared on her Facebook page on Wednesday, where Usman was presented to the public.
According to Adeh, Usman lent the woman ₦600,000 and required weekly interest payments of ₦30,000, in addition to repayment of the principal. The woman reportedly fell behind after poor sales and later approached him with ₦24,000, the amount she could afford at the time.
Police allege that Usman forced her into his Toyota vehicle, threatened her with a knife and drove her to a secluded spot behind the chief’s palace in Lugbe. There, Adeh said, he sexually assaulted her and recorded her naked. Police further allege that he threatened to kill her if she did not pay.
The woman reportedly raised the money and transferred it to him before going to the police. Officers later tracked down Usman and arrested him. Adeh said he tried to drive away with an officer during the operation but was eventually caught.
During the police presentation, Usman acknowledged lending the woman ₦600,000 and collecting ₦30,000 in weekly interest. He also admitted asking her to undress, sexually assaulting her and filming her. He said he drove off with an officer during the arrest but returned after realizing the officer was the divisional police officer.
Usman told police he was from Nasarawa State, was married and had six children. He asked to be forgiven.
Adeh said the investigation is ongoing. The police command is also working with the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) on the case. The allegations have not been tested in court.
Oluwaseun Musa Lawal is an Editor at REPORTERS ROOM with over eight years of professional journalism experience. He specializes in reporting on politics, climate change, health, and education, while also covering security, economic, and judicial affairs. His work is driven by a commitment to accuracy, balanced reporting, and public-interest journalism.