Gunmen have abducted passengers, including prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, from two commercial buses on the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway in Imo State. The incident occurred on October 1, 2026, within the Umunoha axis of the expressway. Imo Police Command's Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, confirmed the abduction in a statement issued in Owerri. The buses, one traveling from Ibadan to Uyo and the other from Bende in Abia, were attacked by suspected armed men.
According to DSP Okoye, the police and other security agencies have intensified efforts to rescue the victims and arrest the suspects. The command has launched a coordinated search and rescue operation, backed by intelligence-led tracking of the suspects. The Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment and to give operational direction. The police have recovered both buses and rescued 10 victims, who are currently in safe hands and being attended to.
The exact number of persons abducted is still being verified and will be made public once confirmed. The police are working to sustain the operation until all victims are safely rescued and the suspects brought to justice. The command is collaborating with the NYSC Directorate to reach the families of the affected corps members, who will be informed as developments unfold.
An eyewitness reported that the hoodlums attacked the travelers around 6:00 am, forcing them into the bush at gunpoint. The victims were on a night journey when their vehicle was attacked. The eyewitness described the incident as a recurring problem on the Onitsha Road and the Ogbaku – Ejemkwuru-Izombe route, which has become a dangerous route due to the activities of these criminals.
Another eyewitness urged the Commissioner of Police to deploy anti-kidnapping operatives in the area to beef up security and safeguard the lives of travelers. The eyewitness stated that no week passes without one or multiple violent attacks and abductions of unsuspecting travelers on the route. The police have deployed security personnel to the road to protect commuters and reopened the affected section of the expressway to ensure free flow of traffic.
The Imo Police Command has appealed for calm and urged the public to remain vigilant, asking anyone with credible information to report to the nearest police station or contact the command's emergency lines. All information will be treated in utmost confidentiality. The command is working to prevent similar incidents in the future and ensure the safety of travelers on the expressway.
The police have assured the public that they will continue to work tirelessly to rescue the abducted victims and bring the perpetrators to justice. The incident has raised concerns about the security situation on the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway, and the police have promised to take measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Key points
- The police have launched a coordinated search and rescue operation to rescue the abducted victims.
- The incident has raised concerns about the security situation on the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway.
- The police have appealed for calm and urged the public to remain vigilant.
