The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Umar Nadada, and two Commissioners of Police to Imo State to intensify the search-and-rescue operation for 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members and other passengers abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road.
The victims were abducted around Umunoha, Imo State, on October 1, 2026, according to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, on Friday.
Nadada arrived in the state with the two commissioners and conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the situation as well as the search-and-rescue efforts already being undertaken by the Imo State Police Command.
During the assessment, the DIG reviewed the operational strategies, deployment of personnel and available operational assets, while issuing further directives to strengthen the coordinated response to the incident.
The assessment was conducted alongside the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Audu Garba Bosso; Commissioner of Police, Federal Operations, CP Akpan Anifiok; the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Police Mobile Force; other service commanders and members of the management team of the Imo State Police Command.
The police said the search-and-rescue operation had been intensified with the deployment of additional tactical teams and operational assets to identified areas, supported by intelligence-led efforts to track the abductors.
The Force Public Relations Officer said the police were also working with sister security agencies to secure the safe release of the victims and apprehend those responsible for the abduction.
Giving an update on the operation, the DIG Operations assured the public that the police would sustain the search until the abducted persons were rescued.
“The Nigeria Police Force is committed to securing the safe rescue of the 20 abducted persons and will sustain the operation until the mission is successfully concluded,” Nadada said.
He appealed to members of the public and the media to remain calm and vigilant, while urging anyone with credible information that could assist the operation to contact the police or the nearest security formation.
The DIG assured members of the public that information provided to the police would be treated with strict confidentiality.
The Force said further updates would be issued as the search-and-rescue operation progresses.
