Security forces have rescued 10 prospective National Youth Service Corps members who were reportedly abducted by gunmen along the Owerri Onitsha Road in Imo State.
The victims were among passengers travelling in two commercial buses from Ibadan, Oyo State, to different destinations in the South East and South South when the vehicles came under attack.
The incident occurred at about 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 1, near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The two buses were reportedly carrying prospective corps members and other passengers travelling to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and Bende, Abia State.
According to security authorities, suspected kidnappers intercepted the buses and took some of the passengers into the surrounding area.
Following the attack, security personnel launched a coordinated search and rescue operation involving multiple security agencies.
Ten victims were subsequently rescued and placed in safe hands, while the two buses involved in the incident were also recovered.
Security forces have continued efforts to locate other passengers who may still be in captivity and apprehend the suspected kidnappers responsible for the attack.
Authorities said the exact number of people initially abducted was still being verified, meaning reports giving a specific total should be treated with caution until an official figure is released.
The rescue operation involved collaboration between the Nigerian Army, police and other security agencies, with intelligence led tracking being used to locate the suspected abductors.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about the safety of prospective corps members travelling long distances to their NYSC orientation camps.
The affected section of the Owerri Onitsha Expressway was later reopened to traffic, while security personnel remained deployed in the area to protect commuters.
Authorities are also working with NYSC officials to contact the families of the affected prospective corps members and provide updates as the rescue operation continues.
Members of the public have been urged to remain calm and vigilant while security agencies continue efforts to account for all the passengers and bring those responsible for the attack to justice.
The development comes amid renewed concerns over attacks on travellers along major highways in parts of the country, particularly as prospective corps members travel to various states for their mandatory orientation programmes.
