By Samuel Olusegun Precious
Security forces have intensified coordinated search-and-rescue operations for prospective corps members abducted last Thursday along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State.
The victims, about 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members travelling in two commercial buses from Ibadan to orientation camps in Uyo and Bende, were kidnapped around Umunoha, Mbaitoli LGA, on Thursday October 1, 2026.
Troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade, Owerri, under Operation UDO KA, working with personnel of the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, DSS, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and local vigilantes, launched an offensive operation in Amakohia Forest at about 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 3.
Security sources said the operation followed intelligence gathering, with DSS operatives geolocating telephone numbers used by the abductors after they contacted families of seven victims and demanded N50 million ransom per victim.
Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, DIG Shehu Umar Nadada, with two Commissioners of Police to Imo to provide operational leadership for the rescue mission.
The Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Garba Bosso, disclosed that surveillance drones have located the suspected kidnappers’ camp but the advance is being delayed over fears the camp has been mined with Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs.
The Police and Army said tactical teams and operational assets have been deployed, assuring that every avenue is being explored to ensure the safe return of the victims.
