Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, to Imo State to coordinate an intensified search-and-rescue operation following the abduction of prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other passengers along the Owerri–Onitsha Road.

The deployment follows the October 1, 2026 attack near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area, where armed men reportedly intercepted two buses travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, towards NYSC orientation camps in the South-East and South-South.

IGP orders senior officers to take charge

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, said Nadada arrived in Imo with two Commissioners of Police and immediately carried out an on-the-spot assessment of the incident and the ongoing rescue operation.

He also reviewed the deployment of personnel, tactical teams and operational equipment before issuing further directives aimed at strengthening the operation.

The Imo State Police Command, led by CP Audu Bosso, has been coordinating the police response alongside other security agencies.

According to the police, intelligence-led tracking and additional tactical deployments have been introduced to locate the abductors and secure the release of those still missing.

How the abduction happened

The incident occurred at about 6:30 a.m. on October 1 when two commercial buses carrying prospective corps members and other passengers came under attack near Umunoha.

The buses were travelling from Ibadan towards Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and Bende, Abia State, according to the Imo Police Command.

Initial reports indicated that about 20 prospective corps members were among those taken by the attackers.

There were also other passengers in the vehicles.

10 victims initially rescued

The situation has developed since the initial reports.

The Imo Police Command said on October 1 that 10 victims had been rescued, while cautioning that the exact number of people abducted was still being verified.

A subsequent account from the Defence Headquarters reported that troops and other security agencies rescued 10 people, including eight prospective corps members, while the search continued for the remaining abductees.

This explains why reports have used slightly different figures when describing the number of people still missing.

Joint security operation continues

The rescue effort now involves multiple security agencies.

According to the Defence Headquarters, personnel from the Nigerian Army’s Operation UDO KA, the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and Nigerian Air Force have been involved in the search for the remaining victims.

The police said the operation includes tactical deployments and intelligence-led tracking.

Nadada has directed commanders to strengthen coordination and make greater use of available operational assets.

Families remain anxious

The abduction has generated concern among relatives of the affected prospective corps members, many of whom were travelling from Oyo State to their orientation camps.

Reports indicate that some families have been seeking information about their relatives while security agencies continue the search.

A further development reported on October 3 was an alleged ransom demand of N1 billion for the release of the abducted graduates. That claim was attributed to relatives of the victims and had not, at the time of reporting, been independently confirmed by the police.

Police promise continued search

The Nigeria Police Force said the operation would continue until the abducted persons are located.

The force also appealed to residents and media organisations to share credible information with security agencies and to protect the confidentiality of sensitive operational information.

The IGP’s decision to send the DIG Operations directly to Imo places a senior national police officer at the centre of the ongoing response.