The Imo State Police Command has rescued 10 victims abducted by gunmen along the Owerri-Onitsha Road, while security agencies continue operations to locate others who may still be in captivity.
The incident occurred at about 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2026, near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, when suspected armed men attacked two buses conveying National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other passengers.
According to the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, the buses were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to Uyo in Akwa Ibom State and Bende in Abia State when they came under attack.
Okoye said police and other security agencies responded swiftly to the incident, recovering both buses and rescuing 10 victims at the scene. The rescued victims were said to be safe and receiving necessary attention.
The police spokesperson said the exact number of people abducted was still being verified, contrary to earlier reports that 20 people had been taken. He said the command would make the confirmed figure public once the verification process was completed.
He added that tactical teams and other operational assets had been deployed for a coordinated search-and-rescue operation, supported by intelligence-led tracking, to locate the remaining victims and apprehend the suspected attackers.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Garba Bosso, alongside other security commanders, visited the scene to assess the situation and give operational directives. The command also said it was working with the NYSC Directorate to contact the families of affected corps members and keep them informed of developments.
The affected section of the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway has since been reopened to traffic, while security personnel remain deployed in the area. Police have appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could assist the ongoing search operation.
