Police Rescue Two Colombian Women Held Captive by Trafficking Syndicate in Lagos

Police Rescue Two Colombian Women Held Captive by Trafficking Syndicate in Lagos

LAGOS, Nigeria – Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force attached to the National Central Bureau (NCB) of INTERPOL, Lagos Annex, have rescued two Colombian nationals who were 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 following actionable intelligence received from INTERPOL-NCB, Bogotá, on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. This operation marks a significant victory in the ongoing fight against transnational organized crime and human trafficking, demonstrating the effectiveness of international law enforcement cooperation between Nigeria and Colombia.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed the details of the operation in a statement released on Saturday, August 29, 2026. According to the statement, the two women were “fraudulently lured to Nigeria, held against their will, and had their travel documents confiscated” by some Chinese nationals, who are currently at large. Upon receipt of the intelligence from INTERPOL-NCB Bogotá, police operatives promptly launched a covert tracking operation, locating the hideout in Lagos where both victims were safely rescued on 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.” According to police, the suspects fled the location when they noticed 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 police have assured the public that efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and dismantle the trafficking network.

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The police said the rescued Colombian nationals are currently in safe custody and receiving necessary support, including medical care and counseling services to help them recover from their traumatic experience. The statement further disclosed that the Colombian Embassy in Accra is working in close collaboration with the National Central Bureau to secure hotel accommodations for the victims and arrange emergency travel documents to ensure their safe return to Bogotá. The embassy’s involvement underscores the importance of diplomatic cooperation in handling cross-border trafficking cases and ensuring that victims are not re-victimized by bureaucratic hurdles.

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, reaffirmed 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 statement said 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 arrest the fleeing suspects and dismantle the trafficking network.

This rescue operation highlights the growing challenge of transnational human trafficking in Nigeria, which serves as both a source, transit, and destination country for victims. According to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Nigeria has seen an increase in cases involving foreign nationals being trafficked into the country for forced labor, sexual exploitation, and other forms of modern slavery. The involvement of Chinese nationals in this case points to the international nature of trafficking syndicates operating in the country. The police have called on members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies, as community cooperation remains vital in combating these crimes.

Police Rescue Two Colombian Women Held Captive by Trafficking Syndicate in Lagos