The police have launched a coordinated operation to rescue passengers abducted after suspected armed men attacked two buses carrying National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) corps members and other travellers on the Owerri-Onitsha Road near Umunoha, Mbaitoli Local Government Area, Imo State.
It was learnt that the two 18-seater buses were attacked in the area in the early hours of Thursday.
Confirming the incident, the Police Command in Imo State, in a statement, said the attack occurred at about 6:30am on October 1, 2026, as the buses travelled from Ibadan to Uyo in Akwa Ibom State and Bende in Abia State
The statement was signed by the spokesperson for the command, DSP Henry Okoye.
Okoye said the victims were heading to different orientation camps when they were intercepted by the gunmen.
He said the police and other security agencies responded to the incident, recovered the two buses and rescued 10 victims at the scene.
He said the exact number of the people still in captivity was being verified and would be released once confirmed.
Tactical teams and other operational assets have also been deployed to search surrounding bushes, track the suspected abductors and secure the release of the remaining victims.
The development followed earlier reports that gunmen had intercepted two buses on the Owerri-Onitsha expressway and taken passengers into the bush.
The command’s spokesperson said security operatives are continuing an intelligence-led search to locate those who remain missing and apprehend the suspected attackers.
The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, visited the scene alongside other security commanders to assess the situation and issue operational directives, according to the police statement.
Bosso assured that the operation would continue until the remaining victims are safely recovered and the suspects brought to justice.
The Command said it was working with the NYSC directorate to contact the families of affected corps members and keep them informed about developments.
The police appealed to members of the public to remain calm and provide any credible information that could assist the rescue operation.
The police said further updates would be issued as the search and rescue operation progresses.
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