By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria
The Nigeria Police Force has rescued two Colombian nationals who were 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 on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, after police operatives located their suspected hideout in Lagos.
The operation followed actionable intelligence received from INTERPOL-NCB, Bogotá, concerning the two Colombian women.
According to the Nigeria Police Force, the victims were fraudulently lured to Nigeria and had their travel documents confiscated by Chinese nationals suspected to be members of the trafficking syndicate.
The suspects reportedly fled the location after sighting the approaching police team and are currently at large.
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 collaborating with the National Central Bureau, NCB-INTERPOL, Lagos Annex, to secure hotel accommodation for the victims and arrange emergency travel documents for their return to Bogotá.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to protecting the lives and property of residents while strengthening cooperation with international law enforcement agencies to combat transnational crimes.
The development was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, on behalf of the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
