Nigeria Police Rescue Two Colombian Women from Lagos Trafficking Hideout
Lagos / Abuja – August 29, 2026 — In a swift and coordinated operation, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force attached to the National Central Bureau (NCB-INTERPOL), Lagos Annex, have rescued two Colombian women who were fraudulently 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 freed on August 26 after police received actionable intelligence from INTERPOL-NCB Bogotá.
Their travel documents had been confiscated, and they were held against their will by Chinese nationals who remain at large.
How the Rescue Unfolded
Acting on the tip-off, officers launched a covert tracking operation the same day. They located the criminal hideout in Lagos and safely extracted both women.
The suspects fled the scene as the police team approached, abandoning the location.
Force Public Relations Officer CSP Ani Iniedu confirmed in an official statement that the victims are now in protective custody and receiving necessary support.
The Colombian Embassy in Accra is working closely with Nigerian authorities to arrange hotel accommodation and emergency travel documents so the women can return safely to Bogotá.
International Cooperation at Work
The successful rescue highlights growing collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and international partners in tackling transnational organized crime.
Inspector-General of Police IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to protecting all residents in the country and deepening ties with global law enforcement agencies.
Police said efforts have been intensified to track down and arrest every member of the syndicate involved in the trafficking operation.
A Familiar Pattern in Transnational Crime
Human trafficking networks continue to exploit vulnerable individuals across borders, often using false promises of jobs or better opportunities.
In this case, the involvement of foreign nationals operating inside Nigeria underscores the challenges of cross-border crime and the importance of rapid intelligence sharing.
While the two Colombian women are now safe, the fact that the suspects escaped means the investigation remains active. Authorities are urging the public to share any information that could help identify and apprehend those still at large.
The operation stands as a clear demonstration that when timely intelligence is received and acted upon, lives can be saved.
For the two young women from Colombia, the nightmare of captivity in Lagos has ended, and the path home has begun.
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