Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force attached to the National Central Bureau of INTERPOL, Lagos Annex, have rescued two Colombian nationals allegedly lured to Nigeria and held captive by a human trafficking syndicate.
The victims, identified as Maria Camila Rodas Ortiz and Yuliet Fernanda Rios Mesa, were rescued on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, following actionable intelligence received from INTERPOL-NCB, Bogotá.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday.
According to the statement, the two women were “fraudulently lured to Nigeria, held against their will, and had their travel documents confiscated” by suspected members of the syndicate, identified as Chinese nationals who are currently at large.
Following receipt of the intelligence, the police launched a covert tracking operation that led operatives to a hideout in Lagos, where the victims were rescued the same day.
The statement read in part: “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 police said the suspects fled the location after sighting 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 rescued women are currently in safe custody and receiving the necessary support, according to the police.
“The rescued victims are currently in safe custody and receiving necessary support,” the statement added.
The police also disclosed that the Colombian Embassy in Accra was collaborating with the National Central Bureau of INTERPOL to facilitate the victims’ return to Colombia.
“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 statement said.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to protecting residents and strengthening international cooperation in the fight against transnational crime.
According to the statement, Disu “reaffirms the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Police Force 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 had been intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspects and dismantle the trafficking network.
