The 34 Artillery Brigade, Owerri, and the Imo State Police Command have launched a joint operation to secure the rescue of 19 prospective National Youth Service Corps members kidnapped in Umunoha, Ogbaku, in the Mbaitoli local village of Imo State. The kidnapping occurred last Thursday at around 6am when gunmen attacked two commercial buses traveling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and Bende, Abia State.
The Public Relations Officer for the 34 Artillery Brigade, Owerri, Major Hashimu Sa’ad Abdullahi, confirmed that the Army is working with other security agencies to rescue the prospective corps members. Abdullahi assured that the situation is receiving the required attention and that every available avenue is being explored to ensure a positive outcome. The security agencies are working around the clock to secure the rescue of the kidnapped corps members.
The Imo State Police Command has also confirmed that they are closing in on the kidnappers. Spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, DSP Henry Okoye, said that the police are conducting the operation and gradually closing in on the kidnappers. Okoye assured that more information will follow soon, as the police are working to gather intelligence on the kidnappers.
According to sources, all the security agencies are working together on the rescue efforts. The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, revealed that the command has identified the location where the 19 prospective National Youth Service Corps members are being held. Bosso stated that the police used surveillance drones to locate the suspected camp after security operatives trailed the abductors into the bush.
However, Bosso noted that security operatives have delayed moving into the camp over fears of improvised explosive devices. The police had used drones to locate the suspected camp, but were being cautious because intelligence indicated that the camp had been mined with IEDs. Bosso assured that the security agencies are preparing to move into the area with heavy equipment to rescue the victims safely.
The Imo Police boss further revealed that the security agencies are preparing to move into the area with heavy equipment, including bulldozers and armoured personnel carriers. Bosso stated that the goal is to rescue the victims unhurt. The security agencies are taking a cautious approach to ensure the safe rescue of the kidnapped corps members.
Meanwhile, parents and family members of the kidnapped prospective corps members have appealed for help. They visited the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at his private residence in Bodija, Ibadan, alongside the state Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, and the Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Sefiu Adeyeri. The affected families expressed their concerns and appealed for help in securing the rescue of their loved ones.
Key points
- The Nigerian security agencies are working together to rescue the 19 prospective National Youth Service Corps members kidnapped in Imo State.
- The Imo State Police Command has identified the location where the kidnapped corps members are being held and is preparing to move in with heavy equipment.
- The security agencies are taking a cautious approach to ensure the safe rescue of the kidnapped corps members due to fears of improvised explosive devices.
