Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have rescued two Colombian nationals allegedly lured to Nigeria and held captive by a suspected human trafficking syndicate in Lagos.
The victims, identified as Maria Camila Rodas Ortiz and Yuliet Fernanda Rios Mesa, were rescued by operatives attached to the National Central Bureau of INTERPOL, Lagos Annex, following intelligence from INTERPOL-NCB, Bogotá, on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday.
According to the police, the women were allegedly deceived into travelling to Nigeria, where they were held against their will and had their travel documents confiscated by some Chinese nationals.
The suspects, however, reportedly fled before the police arrived at the location where the women were being held.
The police said operatives launched a covert tracking operation immediately after receiving the intelligence and located the victims’ hideout in Lagos on the same day.
“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,” the statement said.
The police added that the suspects abandoned the location after noticing the approaching operatives.
“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,” the statement said.
The two Colombian nationals are currently in police custody and receiving what the police described as necessary support.
“The rescued victims are currently in safe custody and receiving necessary support,” the statement added.
Colombian Embassy Assists With Return
The Colombian Embassy in Accra is working with the National Central Bureau to facilitate the women’s return to Colombia, according to the police.
The statement said arrangements were being made to secure hotel accommodation for the victims and obtain emergency travel documents to enable them to return safely to Bogotá.
“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,” the police said.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to protecting residents and strengthening cooperation with international law enforcement agencies to tackle transnational crime.
According to the statement, Disu reaffirmed the force’s commitment 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.
The police said efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest the fleeing suspects and dismantle the trafficking network.
