Police in Nigeria recently rescued a 40-year-old Irene Torento Panas, a Filipino woman who was abducted by her 54-year-old Nigerian lover, Chukwudi Odo.
According to news reports, Chukwudi held Ms Panas whom he met on Facebook three years ago against her will for six months.
The foreign accountant was rescued at Enugu State’s Neke-Uno Village.
The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu on June 22 issued a statement in which he revealed that the woman was visiting the West-African country in search of a romantic relationship.
Ms Panas’ visit was supposed to last only 10 days but it is alleged that her male partner knowingly held her hostage.
“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’s statement read.
The rescue mission took place after some members of the public allegedly tipped off the police.
The victim is reported to have been critically ill at the time of rescue.
She was rushed to the hospital where she was admitted between June 5 and June 16.
Nigerian authorities contacted the Embassy of the Philippines to reunite Ms Panas with her family.