Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 10 victims following a kidnapping attack on two commercial buses carrying prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other passengers in Imo State.
The incident occurred at about 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2026, along the Owerri-Onitsha Road near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area, according to the Imo State Police Command.
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The two buses were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, towards Uyo in Akwa Ibom State and Bende in Abia State when they were attacked by suspected armed kidnappers.
The Imo State Police Command said its tactical teams and other security agencies responded to the incident, leading to the recovery of both buses and the rescue of 10 victims.
The rescued persons were said to be safe and receiving attention, while security agencies continued efforts to determine the exact number of people who were abducted and locate anyone still missing.
Army Troops Join Rescue Operation
The Nigerian Army also confirmed the rescue operation in its latest operational report.
According to the report, troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade under Operation UDO KA responded to the kidnapping incident and rescued 10 prospective NYSC members.
The Army said its troops were working alongside personnel of the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force and Department of State Services in efforts to track the suspected kidnappers and rescue any remaining victims.
The development has heightened concerns about the safety of prospective corps members travelling long distances to their NYSC orientation camps, particularly following other recent highway attacks involving corps members.
Security Agencies Continue Search
The Imo Police Command said coordinated search-and-rescue operations were ongoing, supported by intelligence-led efforts to track the suspected abductors.
The Commissioner of Police in Imo State, CP Audu Bosso, and other service commanders reportedly visited the scene to assess the situation and provide operational direction.
The affected section of the Owerri-Onitsha road has since been reopened to traffic, while security personnel remain deployed in the area.
Authorities have urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could assist security agencies in locating the suspected kidnappers and any remaining victims.
For now, the confirmed development is that 10 victims have been rescued, while security agencies are continuing operations to establish the full circumstances of the abduction and account for all those affected.
