Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command have rescued an abducted female Filipino, Irene Torento Panas, and arrested a 54-year-old suspect, Chukwudi Odo.
The 40-year-old victim was said to have been rescued six months after she arrived Nigeria for a 10-day visit which turned into an abduction.
In a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, the rescue was carried out by a team led by the Divisional Police Office (DPO) of Unity Police Division, SP Siga Malgwi.
Narrating the event that led to the action of the police operatives, Mba said, ”Irene Torento Panas, an Accountant by profession and a native of Manila in the Philippines arrived Nigeria in November 22, 2019 on a visit to one Chukwudi Odo ‘m’ 54yrs of Enugu Ezike in Igbo-Eze North LGA of Enugu State whom she met on Facebook on 8th March, 2017.
”The visit which was originally intended to be for 10-days however turned out to be a full case of abduction following Chukwudi Odo’s refusal to allow her return to her country against her will. She was held incommunicado by the suspect, Chukwudi Odo.”
He added, ”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.”
While urging citizens to be cautious of the way they use the social media, the police spokesman warned that criminal activities on cyberspace will not go undetected.
Meanwhile, Mba said the police has contacted the Embassy of the Philippines in Nigeria as efforts are ongoing to reunite the victim with her family.