RismadarVoice Reporters
October 3, 2026
Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu has deployed Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, and two Commissioners of Police to Imo State to coordinate efforts to rescue passengers abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road.
The deployment followed Thursday’s attack on two buses conveying passengers, including prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, from Ibadan to orientation camps in the South-East and South-South.
The incident occurred near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
Although initial reports indicated that about 20 prospective corps members were abducted, the Imo State Police Command said the exact number of victims was still being verified.
Police had earlier confirmed the rescue of 10 victims and the recovery of the two buses involved in the incident.
In a statement, Force Public Relations Officer Anietie Iniedu said DIG Nadada arrived in Imo State with two Commissioners of Police to assess the security situation and strengthen the ongoing rescue operation.
The delegation included Imo State Commissioner of Police Audu Garba Bosso, Commissioner of Police in charge of Federal Operations Akpan Anifiok, the Commissioner of Police overseeing the Police Mobile Force, other security commanders and senior officers of the state command.
According to Iniedu, Nadada conducted an assessment of the incident, reviewed existing operational strategies and evaluated the deployment of personnel and security resources.
Following the assessment, the DIG issued additional directives aimed at strengthening coordination among the security agencies involved in the operation.
The police spokesperson disclosed that additional tactical teams and operational resources had been deployed to identified areas as part of intensified search-and-rescue efforts.
He added that the operation was being supported by intelligence gathering, tracking activities and collaboration with other security agencies.
Nadada assured the public that the police would sustain efforts to locate and rescue the remaining victims.
He also appealed to residents and members of the public with credible information about the abduction to contact the police or the nearest security formation.
The DIG assured potential informants that information provided would be handled confidentially.
The Nigeria Police Force said further updates would be released as the rescue operation progresses.
The exact number of passengers still missing remains subject to official confirmation.
