By Suleiman Aremu | Solaremnews | Wednesday 7, October, 2026
The 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members who were abducted while travelling from Oyo State to their orientation camps in Abia State have regained their freedom after spending seven days in captivity.
The prospective corps members were abducted by gunmen along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in the Umunoha area of Imo State while travelling from Ibadan to their respective NYSC orientation camps.
Following their release, the victims were taken to the Department of State Services (DSS) Hospital in Owerri, where they are currently receiving medical treatment and undergoing necessary medical assessments.
The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier-General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, visited the rescued victims at the facility to assess their condition and offer support.
He was accompanied during the visit by the Imo State Commissioner of Police, the Director of the Department of State Services and the Commander of the 34 Artillery Brigade in the state.
Nafiu also addressed the rescued prospective corps members during his visit.
The release of the victims was confirmed on Wednesday by the Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, Isiah Akpan.
The abduction had triggered a security operation involving relevant agencies as authorities intensified efforts to locate the victims and secure their safe release.
The Imo State Police Command had earlier announced that its operatives traced the suspected kidnappers’ hideout through drone surveillance.
However, security personnel reportedly encountered difficulties accessing the location after discovering that the area had been planted with improvised explosive devices.
Additional equipment, including bulldozers and armoured personnel carriers, was subsequently deployed to facilitate access to the suspected kidnappers’ camp.
The police had also earlier confirmed that some of the abducted persons had been rescued while security agencies continued efforts to locate the remaining victims.
The development had generated concern among the families of the prospective corps members, particularly as security agencies maintained efforts to secure their safe release.
Reacting to the successful rescue, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, commended the security agencies for their efforts and cooperation in securing the freedom of the victims.
In a statement personally signed by him, Uzodimma acknowledged the joint efforts of the Oyo and Imo State governments in the operation to secure the release of the remaining captives.
The governor explained that the sensitive nature of the operation, particularly the need to protect the lives of the victims, informed the decision of the authorities to keep details of the rescue efforts away from the public while the operation was ongoing.
Uzodimma praised the security agencies for the discreet and coordinated manner in which they handled the operation and expressed gratitude for their commitment to ensuring the safe recovery of the victims.
He also commended the parents and relatives of the abducted prospective corps members for their patience and resilience throughout the ordeal.
The governor urged Nigerians to maintain confidence in the efforts of the Federal Government and security agencies to address insecurity across the country.
With the latest development, the rescued prospective corps members are now receiving medical attention in Owerri as authorities continue to assess their condition following their ordeal.
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