Lagos Police, INTERPOL Join Forces to Rescue Two Colombian Women from Captivity

An operation spearheaded by the Nigeria Police Force, specifically operatives from the National Central Bureau of INTERPOL, Lagos Annex, successfully liberated two Colombian nationals who were reportedly lured to Nigeria and held against their will by a human trafficking syndicate.

The victims, identified as Maria Camila Rodas Ortiz and Yuliet Fernanda Rios Mesa, were freed following vital intelligence received on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, from INTERPOL-NCB, Bogotá. This development was confirmed by CSP Ani Iniedu, the Force Public Relations Officer, in a statement released on Saturday.

According to the official statement, the two women were "fraudulently lured to Nigeria, held against their will, and had their travel documents confiscated" by individuals identified as Chinese nationals, who are currently at large. Upon receiving the intelligence, police operatives immediately initiated a covert tracking operation.

"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 partly read. The police noted that the suspects managed to evade capture, fleeing the premises as the operatives approached.

"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 further detailed. The rescued Colombian women are currently in protective custody, receiving essential support.

Assistance for their return to Colombia is being facilitated through collaboration between the National Central Bureau and the Colombian Embassy in Accra. The statement clarified, "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."

Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, reiterated the Nigeria Police Force's commitment to safeguarding all residents and enhancing international cooperation to combat cross-border criminal activities. The statement quoted Disu as saying, he "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." Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the absconding suspects and dismantle the entire trafficking network.