The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has rescued two Colombian women allegedly lured to Nigeria and held against their will by suspected Chinese nationals in Lagos.

The rescue operation was carried out by operatives of the National Central Bureau (NCB-INTERPOL), Lagos Annex, following intelligence received from INTERPOL-NCB, Bogotá, on August 26.

Force Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu, disclosed the development on Saturday, describing the operation as a significant breakthrough in the fight against transnational organised crime.

According to Iniedu, the victims were identified as Maria Camila Rodas Ortiz and Yuliet Fernanda Rios Mesa, both citizens of Colombia.

He said the women were allegedly deceived into travelling to Nigeria, after which they were held captive and 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,” Iniedu said.

He added that the suspected perpetrators fled the location after sighting the approaching police team, abandoning the victims behind.

“Efforts have been intensified to track down and arrest all members of the syndicate,” he added.

The police spokesperson said the rescued women are currently in safe custody and receiving the necessary support.

He further disclosed that the Colombian Embassy in Accra is working with the NCB-INTERPOL to secure hotel accommodation for the victims and obtain emergency travel documents to facilitate their safe return to Bogotá.

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

Disu also pledged that the force would continue to strengthen collaboration with international law enforcement agencies to combat transnational organised crime and other cross-border criminal activities.