Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force attached to the National Central Bureau (NCB-INTERPOL), Lagos Annex, have rescued two Colombian women who were allegedly lured to Nigeria and held captive by a human trafficking syndicate.
The rescue operation was carried out as part of efforts to combat transnational organised crime, according to the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Aniete Iniedu.
Iniedu said the operation followed actionable intelligence received from INTERPOL-NCB, Bogotá, on August 26, 2026, concerning two Colombian nationals identified as Maria Camila Rodas Ortiz and Yuliet Fernanda Rios Mesa.
“The victims were fraudulently lured to Nigeria, held against their will, and had their travel documents confiscated by certain Chinese nationals who are currently at large,” she said.
Following the intelligence, police operatives launched a covert tracking operation and located the victims’ hideout in Lagos, where both women were rescued the same day.
“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 police said the rescued women are currently in safe custody and receiving the 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.”
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to protecting residents and strengthening cooperation with international law enforcement agencies to tackle cross-border crimes.