Amanze Chinonye
Imo State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of prospective members of Nigeria’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) after gunmen attacked two buses carrying the travellers along the Owerri-Onitsha Road on Thursday.
The attack occurred at about 6:30 a.m. near Okpaaku village, the police said in a statement on Thursday, adding that the buses were carrying NYSC members and other passengers travelling from Ibadan to Uyo in Akwa Ibom state and Bende in Abia state.
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Police and other security agencies responded to the attack and recovered both buses, while 10 victims were rescued at the scene, the command said. The rescued victims were safe and receiving assistance.
The police said the exact number of people abducted was still being verified and would be released once confirmed.
The development followed an earlier account by the transport company that two Hiace buses carrying a combined 30 passengers, with 15 passengers each had been stopped by gunmen. The company said 20 prospective corps members travelling to the NYSC camp in Akwa Ibom were abducted, while 10 other passengers were left behind and subsequently conveyed safely to the camp.
The police said tactical teams and operational assets had been deployed alongside other security agencies to locate the abducted passengers and arrest the suspected attackers. Intelligence-led tracking and coordinated search-and-rescue operations were under way in the surrounding area.
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Imo State Commissioner of Police Audu Garba Bosso and other security commanders visited the scene to assess the situation and direct the operation, the command said.
The police said they were working with the NYSC directorate to contact the families of affected corps members and keep them informed as the operation continued.
The affected section of the Owerri-Onitsha Road has been reopened and traffic was flowing normally, while security personnel remained deployed to protect commuters, the police said.
The identities of the attackers have not been established. Police described them as suspected armed men and did not confirm earlier accounts that the attackers were Fulani herdsmen.
The command urged the public to remain calm and vigilant and appealed for credible information that could assist efforts to rescue the remaining victims and arrest the suspects.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
