The Imo State Police Command has rescued 10 victims following an attack on two buses conveying prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other passengers travelling from Ibadan to the South-East and South-South.
The incident occurred on Thursday along the Owerri–Onitsha Road near Umunoha, where suspected armed men attacked the two buses. According to the police, the buses were travelling from Ibadan to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and Bende, Abia State, respectively.
Police spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, said tactical teams and other security agencies responded swiftly, leading to the recovery of the two buses and the rescue of 10 victims at the scene. The rescued victims were said to be safe and receiving necessary attention.
The police said the exact number of persons abducted was still being verified, while coordinated search-and-rescue operations and intelligence-led tracking were continuing to locate other victims and apprehend the attackers. The affected section of the highway has also been reopened to traffic, with security personnel deployed to protect commuters.
Earlier reports had put the number of abducted corps members at about 20, but the police have cautioned that the exact number of abductees is yet to be established. Therefore, the confirmed figure at this stage is that 10 victims have been rescued, rather than that all 20 corps members have been rescued.
