Richard Ginika Izuora
The Police have reportedly rescued a Filipino woman allegedly lured into the country by an online scammer; via the social media platform, Facebook in 2019.
The 40-year-old Philippino lady identified as Irene Torento Panashas, was rescued by operatives of the Enugu State Police Command at Neke-Uno Village, Enugu East LGA, Enugu State six (6) months after she arrived Nigeria from the Philippines in an apparent but unsuccessful search for love.
A statement by the spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force, Frank Mba, said Irene Torento Panas, an Accountant by profession and a native of Manila in the Philippines; arrived Nigeria on 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 March 8, 2017.
Mba said the visit was originally intended to be for 10-days; however, it turned out to be a full case of abduction following Chukwudi Odo’s refusal to allow her return to her country. She was also held incommunicado by Odo against her will.
Mba said Torento was critically ill at the time of the rescue.
However, she was successfully rescued by police operatives attached to the Unity Police Division, Ibagwa 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 IGP, while enjoining members of the public to tread cautiously in their use of the social media; warns against any abuse of the cyberspace noting that such criminal acts will not go undetected and also unpunished by the Force.
”Meanwhile, 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.’‘ Mba said in the statement.