On October 1, 2026, 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and a civilian were abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State. According to Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, the victims were later rescued from the Amokohia Uwe Forest in Owerri West Local Government Area of the state following a joint operation by security agencies. The operation involved the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Department of State Services (DSS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Commissioner Bosso stated that the security agencies immediately mobilized their personnel and resources after receiving a distress call and began combing the forest and locations where intelligence indicated the victims might be held. He said the sustained pressure mounted by security operatives forced the abductors to release the victims. Bosso added that areas around the Amako community, where security agencies received intelligence, were thoroughly searched.
The Imo State Commissioner of Police emphasized that the security agencies did not relent in their efforts and tried as much as possible to make sure that all the crannies within the bush were combed. He said, “We responded swiftly to the distress call. This was a joint operation involving the Nigeria Police, the Nigeria Army, Navy, Air Force, DSS, and Civil Defence Corps. We galvanised our resources and went into the bush.”
Despite reports that families of the abductees had collectively paid about N120 million as ransom, Commissioner Bosso denied knowledge of any ransom payment. He said, “To my knowledge, no. I am not aware whether a ransom was paid, but we did what we were supposed to do as professionals, and that’s how we got them.” However, a parent of one of the abducted prospective corps members disclosed that families had paid ransom to the kidnappers.
The mother of one of the abducted corps members revealed that her family paid N6 million in dollars for the release of her son. She said the abductors initially demanded N50 million per victim after allowing the abducted corps members to speak with their relatives to establish that they were still alive. According to her, negotiations eventually reduced the demand to N6 million per victim, which her family paid.
Commissioner Bosso disclosed that security personnel were still combing the area in an effort to arrest the abductors. He also said the rescued victims were receiving medical attention at the DSS hospital and would subsequently be handed over to the Director-General of the NYSC. The victims are reportedly ill and hurting, but with no serious complaints.
The Inspector-General of Police had deployed additional tactical teams to Imo State following the abduction. Mobile police personnel and intelligence response teams have also been deployed to strengthen security along the Owerri-Onitsha Road and other identified flashpoints across the state. This deployment aims to prevent a recurrence of the incident and curb other criminal activities across the state.
Key points
- Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, denies knowledge of ransom payment for the release of 20 abducted prospective NYSC members and a civilian.
- The victims were rescued following a joint operation by security agencies, and no ransom was paid, according to Bosso.
- Additional tactical teams have been deployed to Imo State to strengthen security and prevent future incidents.
