Photo Source: Facebook
Agency Report
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Olatunji Disu, has deployed top police chiefs to Imo to lead an aggressive search-and-rescue operation for 20 abducted prospective corps members.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday in Owerri.
The statement noted that Disu ordered DIG Shehu Nadada, in-charge of Operations, to immediately take over tactical operations in Owerri following the October 1 highway ambush.
Advertisement
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the victims and other passengers were ambushed and forced into the bush along the Owerri-Onitsha Road at Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area.
The statement read: “Nadada arrived in Imo alongside two Commissioners of Police to conduct an on-the-spot assessment and review deployment of operational assets across identified criminal hideouts.
“The tactical assessment was executed alongside the Imo State Police Commissioner, Mr Audu Bosso, and Federal Operations chief, Mr Akpan Anifiok, among other commanders.
“The search-and-rescue operation has been further intensified with additional deployments of tactical teams and intelligence-led tracking of the suspects.”
It further stated that Nadada assured the public that the force remained resolute in securing the safe rescue of all victims and apprehending the perpetrators.
Advertisement
“The Nigeria Police Force is fully committed to securing the safe rescue of the abducted persons and will sustain this operation until conclusion,” it stated.
The statement appealed to residents and media organisations to remain calm while sharing credible information with security agencies under strict confidentiality guarantees.
(NAN)
Latest Update
Reports say security agencies have located the forest hideout of the 19 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted in Imo State, though a rescue operation has been delayed because the camp is heavily mined with improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Key Details of the Incident and Rescue Status
• The Attack: On Thursday, October 1, 2026, gunmen intercepted two buses carrying passengers; including prospective NYSC members traveling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom States, along the Owerri-Onitsha Road near Umunoha in Imo State.
• Victims and Rescues: Out of 20 abducted passengers, 10 victims (including 8 prospective corps members) were rescued shortly after the incident, leaving around 10 to 11 prospective corps members still held captive.
• Ransom Demands: Abductors have reportedly made ransom demands reaching up to ₦950 million (approx. ₦50 million per victim).
• Current Operations: According to Imo State Commissioner of Police Audu Garba Bosso and the Defence Headquarters, drone surveillance helped pinpoint the specific forest camp.
However, tactical teams cannot storm the location directly due to planted Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDs).
Joint security forces including the police, the military (Operation Udoka), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigerian Air Force are deploying bulldozers and armored personnel carriers to safely breach the perimeter and rescue the remaining victims.
Credit: The Guardian
Click to watch video below
https://share.google/eGXscz9dq8LsrKMBH
Source: YouTube
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) reportedly disclosed the gunmen flagged down the buses, which were conveying a total of 30 passengers, and abducted 20 persons.
The two buses departed Bodija/Samonda Park in Ibadan on Wednesday, 30 September, 2026 but were delayed by heavy traffic around Benin, Edo State before their eventual kidnap in Imo State on Thursday, Independence day.
However, they assured
that efforts are being intensified to beat the kidnappers to their own game, and the victims rescued safely.
