The Imo State Police Command yesterday claimed security forces have successfully conducted a quick operation leading to the recovery of 10 victims abducted by gunmen along the Owerri-Onitsha road.
This is stated in a statement by Henry Okoye, the Police Public Relations Officer.
“The rescued victims are safe and are being taken care of. The actual number of those abducted is being verified and would be made public when confirmed, the Command added.
It said tactical teams and operational assets were dispatched in a coordinated search and rescue operation following the kidnapping of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other passengers.
The Command claimed two buses conveying Corps members and other passengers, were attacked by suspected armed persons at about 6:30 a.m. yesterday, Thursday, October 1, 2026, around Umunoha.
The development comes after reports that 20 Corps members were abducted on the road while driving from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation sites in the Southeast and South-South.
The victims were reportedly going in a commercial bus when they were accosted by the gunman.
The Command said the two buses were carrying NYSC members and other passengers from Ibadan to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State and Bende, Abia State respectively when they were attacked.
Its tactical forces were conducting synchronised search-and-rescue operations, supported by intelligence-led tracking to locate the alleged abductors and secure the release of the remaining victims, the Command said.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Bosso and other service commanders visited the area for on the spot assessment and to give operational instructions, it said.
The police claimed Bosso told the public the operation would continue until all the victims were retrieved safe and the criminals brought to justice.
“The Commissioner of Police and other Service Commanders were on ground for on-the-spot assessment and to give operational direction. He promised the public that the Command will continue the effort until all victims are securely retrieved and the suspects are made to face the law,” the statement read in part
The Owerri-Onitsha Motorway has been reopened to normal traffic but security forces are still on ground to ensure the safety of the passengers.
The Command also said it was liaising with the NYSC directorate to reach the families of the affected corps members and keep them abreast of the development as the operation progresses.
It asked the people to remain calm and watchful and to share credible information that could help the rescue operation.
Police said all information would be treated in confidentially and said more updates would be released as the situation progressed.
The incident came weeks after security operatives freed 15 corps members and six others kidnaped in Kogi State.
The hostages were freed after a prolonged intelligence-driven operation in Egume Forest, while the kidnappers are still being hunted by security forces.
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