Two Colombian women allegedly trafficked into Nigeria have been rescued by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Lagos.
The women, identified as Maria Camila Rodas Ortiz and Yuliet Fernanda Rios Mesa, were reportedly deceived into travelling to Nigeria before being held against their will by members of a suspected human trafficking syndicate.
The rescue was carried out by officers of the National Central Bureau of INTERPOL, Lagos Annex, following intelligence received from INTERPOL’s National Central Bureau in Bogotá on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
According to the police, the intelligence triggered an immediate covert operation to trace the victims and locate the premises where they were being held.
The operatives eventually identified the hideout in Lagos and rescued the two women on the same day.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the suspected traffickers, reportedly Chinese nationals, escaped after noticing the arrival of the police team.
The suspects allegedly left the location before officers could apprehend them, prompting the police to intensify efforts to identify and arrest them.
The rescued women have since been placed in safe custody and are receiving the necessary assistance from the authorities.
The police also said the Colombian Embassy in Accra was working with the National Central Bureau of INTERPOL to arrange the women’s return to Colombia.
As part of the repatriation process, emergency travel documents and hotel accommodation are being arranged to enable the victims to return safely to Bogotá.
Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, reaffirmed the police force’s commitment to protecting lives and combating human trafficking and other crimes involving international criminal networks.
The police said investigations are ongoing, with efforts focused on apprehending the fleeing suspects and dismantling the trafficking network behind the incident.
