Nigeria Police rescue two Colombian women from trafficking syndicate in Lagos

The Nigeria Police Force, through the National Central Bureau (NCB)-INTERPOL Lagos Annex, has rescued two Colombian women from a human trafficking syndicate in Lagos. The victims, identified as Maria Camila Rodas Ortiz and Yuliet Fernanda Rios Mesa, were allegedly lured to Nigeria under false pretences and held against their will.

According to police reports, the suspects—identified as certain Chinese nationals—had confiscated the women's travel documents. The rescue operation was launched on August 26 following actionable intelligence received from INTERPOL's Bogotá office. While police successfully located and raided the hideout, the suspects reportedly fled the scene upon seeing the approaching officers.

The Colombian Embassy in Accra is currently collaborating with INTERPOL to provide the victims with accommodation and emergency travel documents to facilitate their return to Bogotá. Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu stated that the force remains committed to strengthening international cooperation to combat transnational organized crime.