The Nigeria Police Force has rescued two Colombian women allegedly lured to Nigeria and held captive by a human trafficking syndicate in Lagos.
The victims, identified as Maria Camila Rodas Ortiz and Yuliet Fernanda Rios Mesa, were rescued by operatives of the National Central Bureau (NCB-INTERPOL), Lagos Annex, following intelligence received from INTERPOL-NCB, Bogotá, on August 26, 2026.
According to the police, the women were fraudulently brought into Nigeria, detained against their will and had their travel documents confiscated by suspected Chinese nationals who are currently at large.
Acting swiftly on the intelligence, police operatives launched a covert tracking operation and located the syndicate’s hideout in Lagos, where the two women were safely rescued the same day.
The suspects reportedly fled the location after sighting the approaching police team. The police said efforts have been intensified to track down and arrest all members of the syndicate.
The rescued women are currently in safe custody and receiving necessary support. The Colombian Embassy in Accra is working with the NCB-INTERPOL to secure hotel accommodation and emergency travel documents for the victims ahead of their safe return to Bogotá, Colombia.
Inspector-General of Police IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to protecting lives and property while strengthening international cooperation to combat transnational organised and cross-border crimes.
The statement was signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, on August 29, 2026.