The Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with sister security agencies, has rescued the 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted in Imo State.
The victims were rescued on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at Amakohia Ubi Village, Imo State, following sustained search-and-rescue operations.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, noting that the rescued victims had been taken for medical assessment and necessary care.
The development came seven days after the prospective corps members were abducted while travelling from Oyo State to their orientation camps in Abia State.
The victims were attacked by gunmen along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State, while travelling in two buses.
The police said the rescue followed sustained and coordinated operations involving the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies.
The rescued corps members have since been taken for medical assessment and necessary care.
Earlier, the Imo State Police Command had announced that its operatives traced the 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 abductors had initially demanded N50m for each victim, amounting to N1bn, before reportedly reducing the ransom to N5m per person, totalling N100m.
The police had earlier announced that 10 of the abducted persons had been rescued while the search for the remaining victims continued.
With the latest rescue operation, all 20 prospective corps members have now regained their freedom.
However, the police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend those responsible for the abduction.
“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend those responsible for the abduction, as the Police and other security agencies sustain coordinated operations towards bringing all culpable persons to justice,” the Force spokesman said.
The development was also welcomed by Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, who commended the security agencies for their efforts in securing the victims’ release.
Uzodimma, in a statement personally signed by him, acknowledged the collaboration between the Oyo and Imo State governments and praised the security personnel involved in the operation.
According to Channels Television, the governor “praised the personnel for what he described as their cooperation and patriotism in ensuring that the corps members were brought out safely.”
The governor explained that the sensitive nature of the operation, particularly the need to protect the lives of the abducted corps members, informed the decision to keep details of the rescue efforts away from the public while the operation was ongoing.
He also expressed gratitude to the security agencies for the discreet and coordinated manner in which they handled the operation.
Uzodimma commended the victims’ parents for their patience throughout the ordeal and urged Nigerians to remain confident in the efforts of the Federal Government and security agencies to tackle insecurity.
The Nigeria Police Force also appreciated members of the public for their cooperation and support, reaffirming its commitment to protecting lives and property, responding promptly to security threats and sustaining collaboration with sister security agencies.
