Lagos Police Free Two Colombian Women from Captivity

By Temitope Adebiyi, Correspondent

Two Colombian women held captive by a human trafficking syndicate in Lagos have been freed by INTERPOL police operatives.

Maria Camila Rodas Ortiz and Yuliet Fernanda Rios Mesa were rescued on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, after operatives acted on intelligence received from INTERPOL-NCB, Bogotá.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday.

According to the statement, the two women were “fraudulently lured to Nigeria, held against their will, and had their travel documents confiscated” by some Chinese nationals who are currently at large.

The police said they immediately launched a covert tracking operation after receiving the intelligence and located the victims’ hideout in Lagos.

“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,” he said.

Iniedu said the suspects fled the location after sighting the approaching operatives.

“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 statement said.

Iniedu further disclosed that the Colombian Embassy in Accra was collaborating with the National Central Bureau to facilitate the victims’ return to Colombia.

“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,” he added.

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to protecting lives and property of all residents within the country, while deepening collaboration with international law enforcement partners to combat cross-border crimes.

The police said efforts had been intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspects and dismantle the trafficking network.