By Ayodele Oni
The ongoing search-and-rescue mission of the prospective NYSC members and other passengers abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road, Umunoha, on 1st October 2026 has been boosted with the deployment of a Deputy Inspector Geberal of Police, (DIG) to lead the team.
In a statement, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, announced the deployment of DIG Operations, Shehu Umar Nadada, and two Commissioners of Police to coordinate the rescue mission.
The team has conducted an on-the-spot assessment, reviewed personnel deployment and strengthened intelligence-led efforts to track the abductors.
The statement added that additional tactical teams and operational assets have been deployed to strategic locations in collaboration with other security agencies.
The DIG Operations assured that the operation will continue until all victims are safely rescued and the perpetrators apprehended.
He urged the public to remain calm and provide credible information that could aid the rescue operation.
Meanwhile, families of victims have said that the abductors have made contact with them and placed a -N50m ransome on each abductee for freedom.
Reacting to the sad incident, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), condemned the abduction of 20 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) along the Owerri–Onitsha Road in Imo State, and described it as a grave assault on the safety and fundamental rights of young Nigerians serving their country.
It described the incident as deeply disturbing, particularly because the victims are young Nigerians travelling to fulfil a national obligation under the NYSC scheme.
Its Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement, demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all the abducted corps members and called on the security agencies to deploy every available resource to locate the victims, rescue them safely and apprehend those responsible.
The rights group also demands that the perpetrators be subjected to thorough investigation and, upon establishment of their culpability, prosecuted in accordance with the law.
According to reports, the corps members were travelling in a commercial bus from Ibadan, Oyo State, to various NYSC orientation camps in the South-East and South-South when they were intercepted by gunmen near Umunoha community in Mbaitoli Local Government Area.
The Imo State Police Command has confirmed the incident and said security operatives are combing surrounding bushes, while a Rapid Response Team has been deployed to track the kidnappers and secure the safe release of the victims.
“The organisation is concerned that the renewed incidents of kidnapping along major roads in Imo State point to serious security challenges that require urgent and sustained attention from the state and federal authorities.
“HURIWA therefore challenges Governor Hope Uzodinma to make the protection of lives and property in Imo State his immediate priority and to demonstrate visible leadership in confronting the worsening security concerns across the state.”
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