Twenty prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and another person abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State have regained their freedom.
The victims were rescued from the Amakohia-Ubi forest in Owerri West Local Government Area following a coordinated operation by security agencies. They were subsequently taken to the Department of State Services (DSS) Hospital in Owerri, where they are receiving medical attention and undergoing necessary medical checks.
The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, visited the rescued victims at the DSS clinic in Owerri. He was accompanied by the Imo State Commissioner of Police, the state Director of the DSS and the Commander of 34 Artillery Brigade.
The circumstances surrounding the rescue, including whether any suspects were arrested or whether a ransom was paid, had not been disclosed at the time of reporting. However, the police said efforts were continuing to apprehend those responsible for the abduction.
In a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu, the police said:
“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend those responsible for the abduction, as the Police and other security agencies sustain coordinated operations towards bringing all culpable persons to justice.”
The victims were abducted on October 1 while travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states. These prospective corps members were travelling in two buses when the vehicles came under attack near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
The abduction raised concerns over the safety of prospective corps members travelling to orientation camps ahead of their national service. However, the latest rescue brings relief to the victims and their families, while security agencies continue efforts to identify and apprehend those behind the attack.
