Lagos Police Freed Two Colombian Women From Captivity

Two Colombian nationals who were allegedly lured to Nigeria and held captive by a human trafficking syndicate have been freed by Nigeria Police Force officers assigned to the National Central Bureau of INTERPOL, Lagos Annex.

On Wednesday, August 26, 2026, INTERPOL-NCB, Bogotá, provided actionable intelligence that led to the rescue of the victims, Maria Camila Rodas Ortiz and Yuliet Fernanda Rios Mesa.

This was revealed in a statement issued on Saturday by CSP Ani Iniedu, the Force Public Relations Officer.

The statement claims that certain Chinese nationals who are currently at large “fraudulently lured to Nigeria, held against their will, and had their travel documents confiscated” the two women.

It added that the operatives located the hideout in Lagos and rescued the victims “on the same day.”

The statement read in part, “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 statement added.

The statement further disclosed that the Colombian Embassy in Accra was collaborating with the National Central Bureau to facilitate the victims’ return to their country.

“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,” it said.

The statement said Disu “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.”

Some individuals choose to undermine and spoil our country in the pursuit of quick money, disregarding the long-term harm they cause to our society. Their desire for instant wealth often blinds them to the devastating consequences of their actions, such as endangering innocent lives, corrupting our values, and destabilizing the peace and progress we have worked so hard to build. Ultimately, their greed and lack of integrity threaten the very foundation of our nation’s future.