The Nigeria Police Force has stepped up efforts to rescue 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other passengers abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State.
The victims were reportedly kidnapped around the Umunoha axis of the highway on October 1, 2026.
In response, 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 ongoing search-and-rescue operation.
Nadada arrived in the state alongside two Commissioners of Police and immediately assessed the security situation and measures already put in place to locate the victims.
During the assessment, the DIG reviewed the deployment of personnel, operational strategies and available security assets before directing further measures to strengthen the rescue mission.
Those involved in the assessment included the Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Garba Bosso; Commissioner of Police, Federal Operations, CP Akpan Anifiok; the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Police Mobile Force, as well as other security commanders and members of the Imo State Police Command’s management team.
The police said additional tactical teams and operational assets had been deployed to strategic locations as part of efforts to track the abductors and secure the victims’ release.
According to the force, intelligence-led tracking and collaboration with other security agencies are also being used to support the operation.
Nadada assured Nigerians that the police would continue the operation until the abducted persons were safely rescued.
He also appealed to residents and members of the public to remain calm and vigilant, urging anyone with credible information about the victims or their abductors to report to the police or the nearest security formation.
He assured that information supplied by members of the public would be treated confidentially.
