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Twenty members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have been abducted by gunmen along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State.
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The victims were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to orientation camps in the South-East and South-South when their commercial bus was intercepted by the armed men around Umunoha community in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
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Security agencies have launched a rescue operation, with Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, visiting the scene while operatives comb surrounding bushes and a Rapid Response Team tracks the suspected kidnappers.
October 01, (THEWILL) – The latest abduction comes weeks after gunmen kidnapped corps members and other travellers in Kogi State, although security forces subsequently rescued 21 victims, including 15 NYSC members, in a coordinated operation.
Gunmen have abducted 20 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) travelling along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State, in a fresh highway attack that has renewed concerns over the security of corps members undertaking the mandatory national service programme.
The corps members were reportedly travelling in a commercial bus from Ibadan, Oyo State, to different NYSC orientation camps in the South-East and South-South when the gunmen intercepted the vehicle around Umunoha community in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
The incident has triggered a security operation involving the police and other security agencies, with efforts focused on locating the abducted corps members and securing their safe and unconditional release.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Imo State Police Command, Henry Okoye, said the corps members were travelling to their respective orientation camps when the attackers struck.
Okoye said the Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, had visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment and directed security operatives to intensify efforts to rescue the victims.
According to him, operatives were already combing the surrounding bushes in search of the corps members and their abductors.
He added that a Rapid Response Team (RRT) had also been deployed to track the kidnappers and secure the safe release of the victims.
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Fresh Threat To Corps Members
The latest incident has raised fresh concerns over the safety of young Nigerians travelling long distances to participate in the NYSC programme.
The incident occurred only weeks after a similar attack involving NYSC members and other travellers in Kogi State.
THEWILL had reported that gunmen on August 26, intercepted two buses at the Ogene Zaria-Onicha-Igo Junction, along the Aloma-Egane Expressway, and abducted 21 passengers, including 15 corps members.
The abduction has once again put the security of major highways and the protection of corps members travelling to orientation camps under scrutiny..
For the families of the 20 corps members, however, the immediate concern is the safe return of their loved ones as security agencies intensify the search for the abductors.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
