Security operatives have reportedly rescued the 20 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha expressway on Thursday, October 1.
According to a report by the TheCable, the operation that led to the rescue was carried out by a joint team of operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS), military and the police.
According to the source, the rescued corps members receiving medical attention at a DSS facility in Imo state.
It would be recalled that the corps members were kidnapped in the early hours of October 1 after gunmen attacked two 18-seater buses carrying passengers from Ibadan, Oyo state capital, and took them into the bush.
According to a viral video circulated on X, the victims were travelling to Akwa Ibom and Abia states in buses branded with the Abia state government logo when the attackers intercepted the vehicles and robbed the passengers.
Henry Okoye, police spokesperson in Imo state, who confirmed the abduction, said the incident occurred at about 6:30am, adding 10 among the victims were rescued immediately.
The police spokesperson said security operatives subsequently commenced search and rescue operations, backed by intelligence to track the suspects and rescue the remaining victims.
Last Saturday, the abductors reportedly contacted parents of the corps members, giving them 24 hours to pay N1 billion ransom for their children’s release.
In response, Tunji Disu, inspector-general of police (IGP), deployed Shehu Nadada, deputy inspector-general of police (DIG) in charge of operations, to coordinate efforts to rescue the corps members.
Anietie Iniedu, force spokesperson, said Nadada had arrived in Imo with two commissioners of police and conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the operation.
He said the DIG reviewed the deployment of personnel and operational assets and issued directives to strengthen the coordinated response.
