Panic has gripped families of prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members after suspected gunmen attacked two buses travelling along the Owerri–Onitsha Road in Imo State and abducted passengers, including corps members.
Initial reports indicated that about 20 NYSC members were abducted during the attack, which occurred at about 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 1, near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state.
However, the Imo State Police Command said the exact number of people abducted was still being established.
The police confirmed that 10 victims had been rescued following a rapid response by security agencies, while efforts continued to locate other victims and apprehend the suspected kidnappers.
According to the police, the two buses were conveying prospective corps members and other passengers from Ibadan, Oyo State, to different NYSC orientation camps in the South-East and South-South.
One bus was reportedly travelling towards Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, while the other was heading to Bende, Abia State.
The attackers intercepted the vehicles around Umunoha along the Owerri–Onitsha route before taking some of the passengers away.
Police spokesperson Henry Okoye said the two buses had since been recovered and 10 victims rescued.
“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,” the police said.
The Commissioner of Police in Imo State, CP Audu Bosso, alongside other security commanders, visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment and to direct the rescue operation.
Tactical teams and other security personnel have been deployed to search surrounding areas and track the suspected abductors.
The police said the operation would continue until all victims were safely recovered and those responsible for the attack were arrested.
The command is also working with NYSC authorities to contact the families of affected corps members and keep them informed about developments.
The incident has generated anxiety among families who were expecting their children to arrive at NYSC orientation camps for the commencement of the service programme.
Premium Times reported that some relatives were frantically trying to establish contact with their loved ones after learning about the attack. One parent reportedly said her daughter sent a distress message indicating the presence of kidnappers before becoming unreachable.
The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of young Nigerians travelling across the country to participate in the compulsory national service programme.
The Imo attack comes only weeks after another highway abduction in Kogi State in which NYSC members were among passengers kidnapped by gunmen.
In that incident, security forces later rescued the abductees, including corps members, following a coordinated operation in a forest in Ofu Local Government Area.
The latest incident has therefore intensified calls for stronger security measures along major interstate routes used by prospective corps members.
The Imo Police Command has appealed for calm and urged members of the public with credible information about the abductors or the whereabouts of the remaining victims to contact security agencies.
As of the latest police update, 10 victims had been rescued, while the total number of persons still in captivity was being verified.
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