The Nigerian police have dispatched high-ranking officials to Imo State to coordinate the rescue of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other passengers abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway. The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has ordered the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG Shehu Nadada, and two senior police commissioners to lead the operation.
The abduction occurred on Thursday, 1 October 2026, during a journey on the Owerri-Onitsha Road. Kidnappers have given the authorities a 24-hour ultimatum to secure the release of the hostages. The police team is currently conducting an intensified search-and-rescue operation.
The Oyo State Government has expressed condemnation of the incident, stating that efforts are ongoing to ensure the safe return of the abducted individuals. The National Youth Service Corps, a government program for national service, has been a target of similar abductions in the past.
The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by security forces in combating armed groups in the region. The police have not yet confirmed the number of hostages or the exact location of the abduction. The operation remains active as authorities work to resolve the crisis.
