Two Colombian women allegedly lured to Nigeria and held captive by a human trafficking syndicate have been rescued by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Lagos.
The victims, Maria Camila Rodas Ortiz and Yuliet Fernanda Rios Mesa, were rescued on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, by operatives of the National Central Bureau (NCB-INTERPOL), Lagos Annex.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said in a statement on Saturday that the operation followed actionable intelligence received from INTERPOL-NCB, Bogotá, concerning the two Colombian nationals who were allegedly lured to Nigeria and held against their will.
Iniedu said the victims’ travel documents were allegedly confiscated by some Chinese nationals linked to the suspected trafficking syndicate.
According to him, the Police immediately commenced a covert tracking operation after receiving the intelligence and located the suspected hideout in Lagos on the same day.
He said the victims were safely rescued after operatives moved in on the location, while the suspects fled upon sighting the approaching police team.
“Upon receipt of the intelligence, police operatives promptly launched a covert tracking operation, locating the hideout in Lagos where both victims were safely rescued on the same day,” Iniedu said.
He added that efforts had been intensified to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects and other members of the suspected syndicate.
“The fleeing suspects abandoned the location upon sighting the approaching team, and efforts have been intensified to track down and arrest all members of the syndicate,” he said.
Iniedu said the rescued women were in safe custody and receiving the necessary support.
He disclosed that the Colombian Embassy in Accra was working closely with the NCB-INTERPOL, Lagos Annex, to arrange suitable accommodation for the victims and secure emergency travel documents for their return to Bogotá.
“The rescued victims are currently in safe custody and receiving necessary support. The Colombian Embassy in Accra is working in close collaboration with the Bureau to secure hotel accommodations for the victims and arrange emergency travel documents to ensure their safe return to Bogotá,” he said.
The Force Public Relations Officer said the successful operation underscored the importance of international cooperation in tackling transnational organised crime and protecting victims of human trafficking.
He said the Nigeria Police Force would continue to deepen collaboration with INTERPOL and other international law enforcement agencies to disrupt criminal networks operating across borders.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, reaffirms the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to safeguarding the lives and property of all residents within the country, while deepening collaboration with international law enforcement partners to combat cross-border crimes,” Iniedu said.
The Police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and bring all persons connected with the alleged trafficking operation to justice.
