The Imo State Police Command has confirmed the rescue of 10 people after suspected gunmen attacked two commercial buses along the Owerri-Onitsha Road on Thursday morning.
The incident took place at about 6:30 a.m. on 1 October 2026 near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area. The buses were travelling from Ibadan in Oyo State, one heading to Uyo in Akwa Ibom State and the other to Bende in Abia State. Among the passengers were National Youth Service Corps members on their way to orientation camps in the South-East and South-South.
According to a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, security agencies mounted a rapid response. Tactical teams and other operational assets were deployed. Both buses were 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 public once confirmed,” the command said.
Initial reports circulating after the attack had put the number of abducted corps members at around 20. Police have stressed that the total figure is still under verification and that operations continue to locate anyone still missing and to track the suspects.
Commissioner of Police Audu Bosso, together with commanders from other security services, visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment and to direct the ongoing effort. The command said the search-and-rescue work is being backed by intelligence-led tracking and will continue until all victims are accounted for and those responsible are brought to justice.
The affected stretch of the expressway has been reopened, with security personnel deployed to protect road users. The command has also indicated it is coordinating with the NYSC on contacting the families of affected corps members.
Highway abductions remain a recurring security concern on major routes linking the South-West to the South-East and South-South, particularly during periods when large numbers of corps members travel to orientation camps. The Imo police response on Thursday forms part of the broader multi-agency efforts to disrupt such attacks and protect travellers.
As of the latest official update, 10 people are confirmed safe while verification of the full scale of the abduction and the search for any remaining victims continue.
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