Police rescue 2 Colombian women held captive by Chinese trafficking syndicate in Lagos

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force attached to the National Central Bureau (NCB-INTERPOL), Lagos Annex, have rescued two Colombian nationals allegedly trafficked into Nigeria and held captive by a human trafficking syndicate in Lagos.

The victims, identified as Maria Camila Rodas Ortiz and Yuliet Fernanda Rios Mesa, were rescued on August 26 following actionable intelligence received from INTERPOL-NCB, Bogotá, concerning their abduction and illegal detention.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the two women were allegedly lured to Nigeria under false pretences before being held against their will.

The suspects, identified as certain Chinese nationals, reportedly confiscated the victims’ travel documents and kept them in captivity at a hideout in Lagos.

“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 statement said.

The police said efforts had been intensified to locate and arrest all members of the syndicate involved in the alleged trafficking operation.

The rescued Colombian nationals are currently in safe custody and receiving necessary support, according to the statement.

The Colombian Embassy in Accra is also collaborating with the NCB-INTERPOL to provide hotel accommodation for the victims and facilitate the issuance of emergency travel documents for their return to Bogotá.

The development, according to the police, underscores the growing collaboration between Nigerian law enforcement authorities and their international counterparts in tackling transnational organised crime.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to protecting the lives and property of residents in the country.

The IGP also pledged to deepen international law enforcement cooperation in the fight against cross-border crimes.