The Nigeria Police Force has rescued two Colombian women who were allegedly lured to Nigeria by a human trafficking syndicate and held captive in Lagos.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Aniete Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday.
According to Iniedu, the rescue followed intelligence received by the National Central Bureau (NCB)-INTERPOL, Lagos Annex, on August 26, 2026, regarding the whereabouts of the two victims.
The women were identified as Maria Camila Rodas Ortiz and Yuliet Fernanda Rios Mesa, both Colombian nationals.
Victims allegedly lured to Nigeria
Iniedu said the women were deceived into travelling to Nigeria, where they were allegedly held against their will and had their travel documents confiscated by suspected Chinese nationals.
“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,” he said.
He explained that police operatives immediately launched a covert operation after receiving the intelligence and traced the location where the women were allegedly being held in Lagos.
The operation led to the safe rescue of the victims on the same day.
Suspects flee as police storm hideout
The police spokesperson said the suspected traffickers fled the scene after noticing the approaching officers.
He added that efforts had been intensified to identify, track and arrest all members of the trafficking syndicate.
Iniedu said the rescued women are currently in safe custody and receiving the necessary support from the authorities.
The Colombian Embassy in Accra is also working with INTERPOL to provide hotel accommodation for the victims and secure emergency travel documents to facilitate their safe return to Bogotá.
Police reaffirm commitment to fighting trafficking
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to protecting all persons within the country and strengthening cooperation with international law enforcement agencies.
Disu said enhanced collaboration with international partners remains crucial in tackling human trafficking and other cross-border crimes.
The police urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide relevant information that could assist authorities in identifying and dismantling trafficking networks operating in Nigeria.
