Yes, ditto what the other poster wrote...Get a handyman to go up and check the loft (and ask him to put a few dozen snappy rat traps up there too!)
Tape over all the holes. Take a video of your rooms-panning every wall and ceiling carefully-so if you then spot a new hole, you know it wasn't there before, for sure. Then maybe go to the cops and explain what's happening.
Do you live in a property where there's no dividing/partition wall up in the actual loft between properties with different occupants? This was often the case in old Victorian buildings, so a neighbour could gain access to the loft space across everyone's properties easily, just by climbing into the loft from their own apartment hatch.
You can also buy endoscopic mini camera inspection kits online that have a long wire/probe with an in-built camera on the end of the wire and you can buy the type that works with your smartphone, so you can watch 'live' what it's videoing, for when you next hear footsteps up in the loft. Or...even better, contact a security camera company and get them to install some discreet night vision sensor cameras, so you and they can have a look at who is walking around up there, and what they're doing. You can then show that to the cops also.
If you're being spied on, that's illegal, stalker-like and voyeurism. Be careful as you don't know if the person might be posting videos of you online. If it's your ex - could he be the type to try to blackmail you into either staying in the relationship, or forcing you to sign a divorce settlement that's not equitable? Either way, I'd be making a phone call (out of the house, so you can't be overheard), booking in someone to at least go up in the loft with a very bright light to have a look at what's potentially going on up there...
I'd also try to dress/undress away from where you think potential holes/cameras are hidden.
Can you move out? Can you stay with a relative? It sounds like a creepy, unsettling situation...
Thanks for the suggestions. Before I moved in I had the entire interior of the house (including ceilings) painted. Even did a walk-through to sign off on the work. There were no holes after all the painting. So they were created after.
Looking into some of your advice. Been up there myself - I think whoever it is filming/watching me with their camera phone. My dogs even react when they hear the foot steps and they look up to the ceiling! Trying everything within reason to get to solve situation.
After I moved in I noticed a couple different male neighbors had been overly friendly or try to time things to bump into me while walking dogs. I wonder if something posted online and they are in a Facebook /Nextdoor group or group text sharing images of me!
Soon to be ex husband not happy about having to split assets. Don't know if him or some crazy. I haven't dated in 30 years nor do I want to -- so don't know exactly who it could be.