The Nigeria Police Force says it rescued two Colombian nationals identified as Maria Camila Rodas Ortiz and Yuliet Fernanda Rios Mesa lured to the country and held captive by a human trafficking syndicate in Lagos.
The disclosure was made by the force spokesman, Ani Iniedu, in a statement on Saturday.
He stated that the criminal hideout of the syndicate was also dismantled by the police attached to the National Central Bureau (NCB-INTERPOL).
“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,” he said.
He stated that the victims were fraudulently lured to Nigeria, held against their will, and had their travel documents confiscated by certain Chinese nationals currently at large.
He stated that police operatives promptly launched a covert tracking operation and located 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,” Mr Iniedu said.
He noted that the rescued victims were currently in safe custody and receiving necessary support.
He added that the Colombian Embassy in Accra was 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.
