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Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command has successfully rescued a Philippino lady, named Irene Torento Panas who was lured to Nigeria by her supposed Facebook lover and abducted at Neke-Uno Village, Enugu East LGA, Enugu State.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mbah disclosed, in a statement on Monday, the 40-year-old woman, an Accountant by profession and a native of Manila in the Philippines, was rescued six months after she arrived Nigeria from her country “in an apparent but unsuccessful search for love”.
Mbah revealed that Panas arrived Nigeria in November 22, 2019 to visit one Chukwudi Odo, a 54-year-old indigene of Enugu Ezike in Igbo-Eze North LGA of the state, whom she met on Facebook on 8th March, 2017.
He explained that her visit to Odo was originally intended to be for 10-days but turned out to be a full case of abduction following his refusal to allow her return to her country against her will.
“She was held incommunicado by the suspect, Chukwudi Odo,” he said. “The victim who was critically ill at the time of rescue was successfully rescued by police operatives attached to the Unity Police Division, Ibegwa Nike, Enugu State led by the DPO, SP Siga Malgwi, following a tip-off from some members of the public in the area.
“She was immediately taken to the hospital for medical attention where she was admitted from 5th June to 16th June.
“Preliminary investigations reveal that the suspect, Chukwudi Odo deliberately lured the victim into the country with the aim of confining her, sexually abusing, and extorting money from her.”
The spokesperson further revealed that the Force is already in contact with the Embassy of the Philippines in Nigeria so as to reunite the victim with members of her family.
The Inspector general of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, however advised members of the public to tread cautiously in their use of the social media.
Adamu warned against any abuse of the cyberspace, noting that such criminal acts will not go undetected and unpunished by the Force.
