Police rescue two Colombian women from human trafficking syndicate in Lagos

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’s National Central Bureau in Bogotá, Colombia.

Ani Iniedu, Force Public Relations Officer, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, saying the victims were allegedly lured to Nigeria under false pretences before being held against their will.

According to the police, the women’s travel documents were also confiscated by members of the syndicate, identified as Chinese nationals who are currently at large.

The statement said the police commenced a covert tracking operation immediately after receiving the intelligence from their Colombian counterparts.

The operation led detectives to a location in Lagos believed to be the hideout where the two women were being held.

“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 statement said.

The police explained that the suspected traffickers fled the location after detecting the presence of the law enforcement team.

“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 added.

The Force said the rescued women had been placed in safe custody and were receiving the necessary support following their ordeal.

It added that arrangements were already underway to facilitate their return to Colombia.

According to the statement, the Colombian Embassy in Accra, Ghana, is working with the National Central Bureau of INTERPOL to provide temporary accommodation for the victims and secure emergency travel documents required for their return to Bogotá.

“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 police said.

The Nigeria Police Force said the operation was made possible through intelligence sharing and coordination between the INTERPOL National Central Bureaus in Nigeria and Colombia.

Olatunji Disu, Inspector-General of Police,  reaffirmed the commitment of the Force to protecting the lives and property of residents while strengthening partnerships with international law enforcement agencies to combat crimes that operate across national borders.

Disu, according to the statement, “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 identify, track and arrest the fleeing suspects and dismantle the trafficking network responsible for the victims’ alleged abduction and exploitation.

The Force urged members of the public and international partners to continue providing credible intelligence that could assist law enforcement agencies in identifying trafficking networks and rescuing victims.

It also assured that the investigation would continue until the suspected members of the syndicate were apprehended and brought to justice.