Police Rescue 10 Victims As NYSC Members, Travellers Kidnapped Along Owerri-Onitsha Expressway, Imo State

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Fleeing gunmen on Thursday morning, October 1, 2026, attacked two commercial buses and abducted passengers along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway, Imo State.

This is even as the Imo State Police Command says 10 victims have been rescued while the search continues for the remaining travellers.

Meanwhile, a mother to one of the kidnapped victims has taken to social media to appeal for the release of her child, though she didn’t give the name or gender.

Spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, DSP Henry Okoye, confirmed the kidnap of travellers, including serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, travelling from Ibadan to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and Bende, Abia State.

Okoye said the incident occurred at about 6:30 am on Thursday morning.

Already, the video of the abandoned buses is trending on social media and has heightened traveller’s fears on the road.

Two full-loaded commercial buses from Ibadan to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and Bende, Abia State, were attacked by gunmen at about 6:30am, at Umunoha, at a spot known as “No man’s land”, in the Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.

According to Okoye, the exact number of the travellers kidnapped was yet to be ascertained, but he maintained that already 10 persons have been rescued, including the two buses.

Further, he said the rescued victims were safe and being attended to, though he didn’t say where.

Okoye disclosed that police operatives were conducting coordinated search-and-rescue operations, backed by intelligence-led tracking of the suspects.

According to him, the Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, along with other Service Commanders, visited the scene on Thursday for an on-the-spot assessment and to provide operational direction.

The Police spokesperson said the Police, working with other sister security agencies, had deployed tactical teams and operational assets to rescue the abducted corps members and other passengers and to arrest the suspected abductors.

He assured that the Command will sustain the operation until all victims are safely recovered and the suspects are brought to justice.

Already, the command is working with the NYSC Directorate to reach the families of the affected corps members, who will be kept informed as the situation develops, Okoye said.

Parts of the statement read “the Imo State Police Command, led by the Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Garba Bosso, in collaboration with sister security agencies, has deployed tactical teams and operational assets to rescue the abducted corps members and other passengers and to arrest the suspected abductors.

“The incident occurred at about 0630hrs on 1st October, 2026, along the Owerri-Onitsha Road, by Umunoha. Two buses conveying NYSC corps members and other passengers from Ibadan to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and Bende, Abia State, respectively, were attacked by suspected armed men.

“Following a swift response by the Police and other security agencies, both buses have been recovered, and 10 victims were rescued at the scene. The rescued victims are in safe hands and are being attended to. The exact number of persons abducted is being verified and will be made to public when confirmed.

“Operatives are conducting coordinated search and rescue operations, backed by intelligence-led tracking of the suspects.

“The Commissioner of Police, alongside other Service Commanders, visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment and to give operational direction. He assured the public that the Command will sustain the operation until all victims are safely recovered and the suspects are brought to justice.

“The Command is working with the NYSC Directorate to reach the families of the affected corps members, who will be kept informed as the situation develops.

“The affected section of the expressway has been reopened, and traffic is flowing. Security personnel remain deployed to protect commuters”.

Meanwhile, the police have appealed for calm and urged the public to remain vigilant. And called on anyone with credible information to report to the nearest police station or contact the Command's emergency lines, saying all information will be treated in confidence.

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