Army, Police, DSS Intensify Search for Abducted NYSC Members in Imo

Security agencies have intensified a coordinated search-and-rescue operation following the abduction of prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other passengers along the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway in Imo State.

The incident occurred at about 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2026, near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area, when gunmen reportedly intercepted two commercial buses travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, towards NYSC orientation camps in the South-East and South-South. The buses were reportedly heading to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and Bende, Abia State.

The Imo State Police Command confirmed that security operatives recovered the two buses and rescued 10 victims following the attack. The command initially said the exact number of people abducted was still being verified, while tactical teams continued efforts to locate those still missing and apprehend the attackers.

Subsequent reports cited by TheCable said the police operation was continuing for 20 people believed to have remained in captivity after the initial rescue. The report said the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, DIG Shehu Umar Nadada, to Imo State to coordinate the rescue effort.

Nadada arrived in the state with two Commissioners of Police and carried out an on-the-spot assessment of the incident and the ongoing search-and-rescue operation. He also reviewed personnel deployment, operational strategies and available assets before issuing further directives to strengthen the response.

The police said additional tactical teams and operational assets had been deployed to identified areas, with intelligence-led tracking being used to locate the suspected kidnappers. The operation is being conducted in coordination with other security agencies, according to the Force Headquarters.

A separate report by PRNigeria said the Nigerian Army, Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and local vigilantes were involved in intensified search operations. According to security sources cited by the publication, troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade and personnel from the other agencies commenced an operation in Amakohia Forest early on Saturday.

Reports also emerged that the abductors had contacted relatives of some of the victims and demanded ransom. TheCable reported on October 4 that families said the kidnappers demanded N50 million for each victim, amounting to N1 billion, and gave them 24 hours to raise the money. The ransom claim was attributed to relatives of the affected prospective corps members and was not presented as an official police confirmation.

The police have continued to appeal for calm and vigilance while urging members of the public with credible information about the whereabouts of the victims or the suspected abductors to contact the nearest police formation or security agency. The command said information supplied by members of the public would be treated confidentially.

As of the latest reports available on October 4, security agencies had not announced the final rescue of all those still believed to be in captivity. The search operation remains ongoing, with authorities maintaining efforts to secure the safe recovery of the victims and apprehend those responsible for the attack.