Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have rescued two Colombian women who were allegedly lured to Nigeria and held captive by a human trafficking syndicate in Lagos.
The rescue operation, carried out by officers attached to the National Central Bureau of INTERPOL (NCB-INTERPOL), Lagos Annex, followed intelligence received from INTERPOL-NCB in Bogotá on August 26, 2026.
According to the Nigeria Police Force, the two victims were allegedly brought to Nigeria under false pretences before being held against their will.
Police said their travel documents were also confiscated by suspected members of the trafficking network, identified by authorities as certain Chinese nationals who reportedly fled before officers arrived at the hideout.
Police launch urgent rescue operation
Following the intelligence received from Colombia, Nigerian police operatives reportedly began a covert tracking operation to locate the victims.
The investigation eventually led officers to a location in Lagos where the two women were allegedly being held.
Police said the operation resulted in the successful rescue of both victims on the same day.
However, the suspected traffickers reportedly abandoned the location after noticing the approaching police team.
Authorities have since intensified efforts to identify and arrest the suspected members of the syndicate who remain at large.
Two Colombian women rescued
The two rescued victims were identified by police as Maria Camila Rodas Ortiz and Yuliet Fernanda Rios Mesa.
The women are currently in safe custody and receiving necessary assistance following their ordeal.
Police have not disclosed extensive details about how the women were allegedly recruited or what they were promised before travelling to Nigeria.
The circumstances surrounding their journey and the exact purpose for which they were allegedly brought into the country remain part of the ongoing investigation.
The case nevertheless highlights the international nature of human trafficking and the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies across different countries.
INTERPOL intelligence helped locate victims
The operation demonstrates the role international police cooperation can play in tackling trafficking and other organised crimes that cross national borders.
In this case, intelligence from INTERPOL-NCB Bogotá was reportedly passed to its Nigerian counterpart, allowing Nigerian investigators to begin tracing the victims.
The National Central Bureau of INTERPOL in Lagos subsequently coordinated the operation that led to the rescue.
Such cooperation can be particularly important in trafficking investigations because victims may be moved between countries, while suspects can operate across multiple jurisdictions.
Colombian Embassy assists with return
Following the rescue, arrangements are reportedly being made to ensure the victims can safely return to Colombia.
The Nigeria Police Force said the Colombian Embassy in Accra is working closely with the NCB-INTERPOL to secure hotel accommodation for the women and arrange emergency travel documents.
The emergency documents are intended to facilitate their safe return to Bogotá.
The arrangement also provides the victims with an opportunity to receive further assistance as they recover from the alleged experience.
Suspects remain at large
Although the rescue was successful, police have not yet announced arrests of the suspected traffickers connected to the Lagos hideout.
According to the police statement, the suspects fled after seeing the approaching officers.
Investigators are continuing efforts to track down the individuals believed to be involved in the alleged trafficking operation.
Authorities have also not indicated whether additional victims could be discovered as the investigation progresses.
The Nigeria Police Force has urged continued cooperation with international law enforcement agencies as it works to combat transnational organised crime.
Police reaffirm commitment to fighting trafficking
Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to protecting lives and property while strengthening cooperation with international law enforcement partners.
The rescue comes amid continued efforts by security agencies to tackle human trafficking, kidnapping and other forms of organised crime in Nigeria.
Human trafficking can involve deception, coercion, exploitation and the unlawful restriction of victims’ freedom.
The Lagos operation therefore serves as another reminder of the dangers faced by people who may be deceived into travelling abroad or to another country with false promises of employment, relationships or better opportunities.
For the two Colombian women, however, the immediate outcome is a positive one: they have been rescued and are now receiving support while arrangements are made for their return home.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the suspects who allegedly operated the trafficking network have yet to face court proceedings.
Authorities will now focus on identifying those responsible, determining the full circumstances surrounding the victims’ recruitment and captivity, and establishing whether other people were involved.
The case also demonstrates the importance of international cooperation in confronting trafficking networks that operate across borders.
Read more about the Nigeria Police Force and its activities through the official Nigeria Police Force website.
