Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force attached to the National Central Bureau (NCB-INTERPOL), Lagos Annex, have rescued two Colombian women allegedly trafficked to Nigeria and held captive by a suspected human trafficking syndicate.
The victims, identified as Maria Camila Rodas Ortiz and Yuliet Fernanda Rios Mesa, were rescued on August 26, 2026, following actionable intelligence received from INTERPOL-NCB, Bogotá, concerning their alleged abduction and unlawful detention in Nigeria.
According to the police, the two women were fraudulently lured to Nigeria by members of the syndicate, who allegedly confiscated their travel documents and held them against their will. Some Chinese nationals suspected to be involved in the operation are currently at large.
Acting on the intelligence, NCB-INTERPOL operatives immediately launched a covert tracking operation that led to the identification of a suspected criminal hideout in Lagos.
The police team moved in and successfully rescued the victims the same day. The suspects reportedly fled the location after sighting the approaching operatives, abandoning the victims and the hideout.
The Force said efforts had been intensified to identify, track and arrest all members of the syndicate involved in the alleged trafficking operation.
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 arrange hotel accommodation for the victims and secure emergency travel documents to facilitate their safe 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 and strengthening cooperation with international law enforcement agencies in combating transnational organised crime.
The Force said the operation further demonstrated the importance of international intelligence-sharing and coordinated law enforcement efforts in tackling human trafficking and other cross-border criminal activities.
