Gunmen attacked two buses carrying prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other passengers along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State, Nigeria, on October 1, 2026. The attack occurred at about 6:30 a.m. near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Council, as the victims travelled from Ibadan to various NYSC orientation camps in the South-East and South-South.
The buses, carrying young graduates from Oyo State, were ambushed shortly after the passengers set out towards Abia State. Families of the prospective corps members are anxiously waiting for information about their loved ones. A relative of one of the victims said the young graduates left Samonda, Ibadan, at about 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday and stopped overnight in Imo State before resuming their journey the following morning.
According to the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, the police and other security agencies responded swiftly to the attack, recovering both buses and rescuing 10 victims at the scene. The rescued victims were safe and receiving attention. Okoye confirmed that two buses conveying NYSC members and other passengers from Ibadan to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and Bende, Abia State, respectively, were attacked by suspected armed men.
The exact number of people abducted was still being verified by the Imo State Police Command. However, family sources said about 20 prospective corps members were among those travelling in the two buses. The police are working to establish the exact number of persons abducted and will make it public once confirmed.
The Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, alongside other security commanders, visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment and directed the ongoing search and rescue operation. Tactical teams and operational assets have been deployed, while security operatives are conducting intelligence-led searches and combing surrounding areas in an effort to locate the abducted passengers and arrest the suspected kidnappers.
The police spokesperson said the command is also working with the NYSC Directorate to reach the families of affected corps members and keep them informed as the operation progresses. The affected section of the Owerri-Onitsha Road has been reopened and traffic restored, while security personnel remain deployed to protect commuters.
The abduction has heightened concerns among families over the safety of young graduates travelling long distances to report for NYSC orientation. For relatives of those still missing, however, the immediate concern is their safe return as security agencies intensify efforts to locate them.
Key points
- About 20 prospective corps members were among those travelling in the two buses.
- The police and other security agencies responded swiftly to the attack, recovering both buses and rescuing 10 victims at the scene.
- The exact number of people abducted is still being verified by the Imo State Police Command.
