- Safiu Kehinde
Operatives of the Nigerian Police Force attached to the National Central Bureau (NCB-INTERPOL), Lagos Annex, have rescued two Colombian women held captive by suspected human trafficking syndicate in Lagos.
The victims, identified as Maria Camila Rodas Ortiz and Yuliet Fernanda Rios Mesa, were rescued after actionable intelligence received from INTERPOL-NCB, Bogotá, on August 26, 2026.
This was made known in a statement issued on Saturday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu.
According to Iniedu, the victims were fraudulently lured to Nigeria, held against their will, and had their travel documents confiscated by certain Chinese nationals who are currently at large.
‘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 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 rescued victims are currently in safe custody and receiving necessary support.’ The statement partly read.
The police said 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.