Man arrested for robbing women on Facebook at knife point

Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) Crime Intelligence Division, in coordination with KMP North and Wakiso, have in custody, a one Odongkara Steven, a 28-year-old, electrician of Bulaga “B” village, Wakiso for string of knife-point robberies, against female victims lured from Facebook.

Facts gathered by police indicate that the suspect met Namiiro Jemima on November 11,2023, on Facebook and they agreed to meet on a date, as boyfriend and girlfriend, at Kasasa Bulaga village.

According to police along the way, while escorting each other, the suspect drew out a knife and stabbed the victim on the right hand, then grabbed her bag, and escaped from the scene.

SCP Fred Enanga highlighted that the victim, a 27-year-old of Najjanankumbi reported the matter to police on the December 22,2023, around 10:30am, of simple robbery of her bag that contained cash 200,000 and cosmetics, by her facebook boyfriend, later identified as Odongokara Steven.

“The suspect was tracked down and arrested on December 27,2023. An immediate search was conducted, and a knife recovered from him. The suspect admitted to luring girls and women on Facebook and robbing them. As the police, we urge girls, women and other persons looking to find love online, to proceed with caution, while kneeling up with a match in persons from dating sites,” he said.

Enanga noted that in this instance, the suspect admitted to robbing all victims after meeting them, following chats and conversations on Facebook.

The victims were forced to surrender their bags, phones, and other valuables. In some of the incidents, the victims suffered knife injuries.

Police advise the general public that it is good practice to meet at a public place with others around, and also important to have a buddy system, when going on dates.