Suspected kidnappers believed to be holding National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other passengers abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway have been traced to a forest hideout in Imo State, following drone surveillance and intelligence-led operations by security agencies.
The Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Garba Bosso, disclosed that security operatives had tracked the suspected kidnappers into the forest and obtained the coordinates of their hideout through aerial surveillance. However, the rescue operation has been delayed by intelligence reports indicating that the camp may be surrounded by improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Bosso explained that operatives had advanced into the bush and reached a point where drones identified the suspected location of the abductors. He said security personnel could not immediately proceed to the camp because of the potential danger posed by the explosives.
“Yesterday we were in the bush; we trailed them up to a particular location. But at that point in time, we couldn’t move in to where the coordinates showed us where they are,” the police commissioner said.
He added that intelligence reports suggested that the kidnappers had planted IEDs around their hideout, making it necessary for security agencies to adopt a carefully planned approach to avoid casualties.
“Our predicament is that with the intel we have, the camp is mined with IEDs,” Bosso stated.
Police Prepare Specialised Equipment for Rescue Operation
The Imo State Police Command is reportedly preparing to deploy specialised equipment and armoured vehicles to gain access to the suspected kidnappers’ camp and rescue the remaining abducted passengers.
According to Bosso, bulldozers and armoured personnel carriers (APCs) are expected to support the operation by clearing potentially dangerous routes and providing protection for security personnel.
“We are moving in there with high-velocity vehicles. We are moving with bulldozers and APCs to see how we are going to rescue these victims,” he said.
The operation involves intelligence gathering, aerial surveillance and coordination among various security agencies to ensure the safe recovery of the abducted passengers.
20 Passengers Abducted Along Owerri-Onitsha Expressway
The abduction occurred on Thursday, October 1, 2026, when suspected armed men attacked two buses conveying prospective NYSC corps members and other passengers along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway.
The buses were travelling from Ibadan to destinations in the South-East and South-South, including Uyo in Akwa Ibom State and Bende in Abia State, when they came under attack near the Umunoha axis of Mbaitoli Local Government Area in Imo State.
Following the incident, police operatives and other security personnel responded to the scene, recovered both buses and rescued 10 passengers.
The Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, confirmed that tactical units and personnel from other security agencies had been deployed to track the suspected kidnappers and locate the remaining victims.
“Two buses, conveying NYSC corps members and other passengers from Ibadan to Uyo, and Bende in Abia, respectively, were attacked by suspected armed men,” Okoye said.
He added that the swift response by security operatives resulted in the recovery of the vehicles and the rescue of 10 passengers at the scene.
“Following a swift response by the Police and other security agencies, both buses have been recovered and 10 victims were rescued at the scene,” he stated.
Okoye said the rescued passengers were safe and receiving the necessary assistance, while coordinated search-and-rescue operations continued in surrounding communities and forest areas.
Military, DSS and Air Force Join Search for Abducted Passengers
The Defence Headquarters subsequently disclosed that 20 passengers had been abducted from the two buses, including prospective NYSC corps members.
The military confirmed that 10 people, including eight prospective corps members, had been rescued, while efforts continued to secure the release of those still being held by the suspected kidnappers.
Troops operating under Operation Udoka are working alongside the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS), with aerial support from the Nigerian Air Force.
The joint operation is focused on locating the suspected kidnappers’ hideout, tracking their movements and rescuing the remaining abducted passengers.
The involvement of aerial surveillance and specialised military equipment is expected to support efforts to navigate the potentially dangerous terrain and address the reported threat of explosives around the camp.
Oyo Government Coordinates Efforts to Rescue Abducted Indigenes
The incident has also attracted the attention of the Oyo State Government, as some of the abducted passengers were travelling from the state to NYSC orientation camps and other destinations.
The government said it was working closely with the Imo State Government, security agencies and NYSC officials to support the rescue operation and ensure the safe return of the abducted passengers.
Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, disclosed that Governor Seyi Makinde had directed the release of necessary resources to assist security agencies in their efforts.
“We are fully committed to securing the safe release of our children and will stop at nothing to ensure that they are reunited with their families without harm,” Oyelade said.
He explained that state officials were maintaining communication with security authorities, the Imo State Government and NYSC leadership to facilitate information sharing and coordinate the ongoing operation.
The Oyo State Government also urged relatives of the abducted corps members to remain calm while security agencies continued their efforts to secure the victims’ release.
It condemned the attack and reiterated its commitment to protecting the welfare of Oyo indigenes, regardless of where they are located.
Rescue Operation Continues as Families Await Updates
The discovery of the suspected kidnappers’ forest camp marks a significant development in the search for the passengers abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway.
However, the reported presence of IEDs has introduced additional risks for the security personnel involved in the operation, requiring specialised equipment and careful planning before they can approach the hideout.
With the police, military, DSS and Nigerian Air Force involved in the search, efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining victims and bring them to safety.
Families of the abducted passengers continue to await further updates as security agencies work to secure their release.
Authorities have emphasised that the operation remains focused on rescuing the victims and apprehending those responsible for the attack.
The situation remains developing, with the safe recovery of the remaining abducted passengers the immediate priority of the joint security operation.
