The Imo State Police Command has disclosed that 10 of the abducted prospective NYSC members have been rescued while efforts are ongoing to rescue others.
Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Okoye Henry, disclosed this in a statement released in Owerri and made available to journalists.
According to the statement, the incident occurred at about 0630hrs on 1st October, 2026, along the Owerri-Onitsha Road, by Umunoha.
"Two buses conveying NYSC corps members and other passengers from Ibadan to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and Bende, Abia State, respectively, were attacked by suspected armed men," the statement disclosed.
It stated that in response to the incidence, the State's Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Garba Bosso, in collaboration with sister security agencies, deployed tactical teams and operational assets to rescue the abducted corps members and other passengers and to arrest the suspected abductors.
The statement continued by saying, "following a swift response by the Police and other security agencies, both buses have been recovered and 10 victims were rescued at the scene. The rescued victims are in safe hands and are being attended to. The exact number of persons abducted is being verified and will be made public once confirmed."
"Operatives are conducting coordinated search and rescue operations, backed by intelligence-led tracking of the suspects. The Commissioner of Police, alongside other Service Commanders, visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment and to give operational direction. He assured the public that the Command will sustain the operation until all victims are safely recovered and the suspects are brought to justice."
It further stated that "the Command is working with the NYSC Directorate to reach the families of the affected corps members, who will be kept informed as the situation develops."
"The affected section of the expressway has been reopened and traffic is flowing. Security personnel remain deployed to protect commuters," the statement assured
The Command, therefore, appealed for calm and urged the public to remain vigilant, calling on anyone with credible information to report to the nearest police station or contact the Command's emergency lines with a promise that all information will be treated in confidence.
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