Author: Gist Correspondent

The Nigeria Police Force has rescued two Colombian women allegedly trafficked into Nigeria and held captive by a transnational human trafficking syndicate in Lagos, following an intelligence-led operation coordinated through INTERPOL.

Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the operation was carried out by operatives of the National Central Bureau (NCB-INTERPOL), Lagos Annex, after receiving actionable intelligence from INTERPOL\'s National Central Bureau in Bogotá on August 26, 2026.

The intelligence revealed that the victims, identified as Maria Camila Rodas Ortiz and Yuliet Fernanda Rios Mesa, had been deceived into travelling to Nigeria, where they were allegedly held against their will and had their travel documents seized by suspected Chinese nationals.

Acting swiftly on the information, police operatives launched a covert operation that led to the discovery of the hideout in Lagos, where the two women were rescued safely on the same day.

The suspects reportedly fled the scene before they could be apprehended, abandoning the victims as security operatives closed in on the location.

The police said efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest all members of the criminal syndicate responsible for the trafficking operation.

The rescued women are currently in protective custody, where they are receiving necessary care and support pending their return home.

According to the police, the Colombian Embassy in Accra is working closely with the National Central Bureau to provide temporary accommodation for the victims and facilitate emergency travel documents for their safe repatriation to Bogotá.

Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to protecting lives and combating transnational organised crime through stronger collaboration with international law enforcement agencies.

He said the successful rescue underscores the Force\'s resolve to dismantle cross-border criminal networks and ensure that perpetrators of human trafficking and related offences are brought to justice.