The Nigeria Police Force has rescued two Colombian nationals 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 actionable intelligence received from INTERPOL-NCB, Bogotá, on August 26, 2026.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the two women were fraudulently lured into Nigeria, held against their will and had their travel documents confiscated by some Chinese nationals suspected to be members of the trafficking syndicate.
Following receipt of the intelligence, police operatives immediately commenced a covert tracking operation which led them to the criminal hideout in Lagos where the victims were rescued on the same day.
The suspects reportedly fled the location upon sighting the approaching police team, abandoning the victims behind. The police said efforts had been intensified to identify, track and arrest all members of the syndicate.
The rescued Colombian nationals are currently in safe custody and receiving necessary support from the authorities.
The Colombian Embassy in Accra is also collaborating with the NCB-INTERPOL to secure hotel accommodation for the victims and facilitate the issuance of emergency travel documents to enable their safe return to Bogotá.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc (+), NPM, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to protecting the lives and property of residents in the country.
Disu also pledged to strengthen international law-enforcement cooperation in tackling transnational organised crime and other cross-border criminal activities.
The development underscored the importance of sustained collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and international law-enforcement agencies in disrupting trafficking networks and protecting victims of human exploitation.
