The Nigeria Police Force has rescued two Colombian women who were reportedly lured to Nigeria and held against their will by a suspected human trafficking syndicate..Get the latest updates on our WhatsApp channel.
The women, identified as Maria Camila Rodas Ortiz and Yuliet Fernanda Rios Mesa, were rescued by operatives attached to the National Central Bureau (NCB-INTERPOL), Lagos Annex, following actionable intelligence received from INTERPOL-NCB, Bogotá.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Saturday, August 29, 2026.
According to Iniedu, the intelligence was received on August 26 and indicated that the two Colombian nationals had been fraudulently brought to Nigeria, where they were allegedly held against their will and had their travel documents confiscated.
The police said the women were allegedly held by certain Chinese nationals, who fled the location when officers arrived and are currently being sought by authorities.
The statement reads:
“In a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against transnational organized crime, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force attached to the National Central Bureau (NCB-INTERPOL), Lagos Annex, have successfully rescued two foreign nationals lured to Nigeria and held captive by a human trafficking syndicate.
“The successful operation followed actionable intelligence received from INTERPOL-NCB, Bogotá, on August 26, 2026, regarding two female citizens of Colombia, identified as Maria Camila Rodas Ortiz and Yuliet Fernanda Rios Mesa. 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 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 Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc (+), NPM, 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.”