The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, to Imo State to coordinate efforts to rescue 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members and other passengers abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road.
The victims were reportedly kidnapped on Thursday, October 1, 2026, around Umunoha in Imo State.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Anietie Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, saying Nadada arrived in the state with two Commissioners of Police to assess the situation and ongoing rescue operation.
According to the statement, the DIG reviewed the strategies being used by the security teams, the deployment of personnel and operational equipment, and issued additional directives to strengthen the response.
The assessment involved the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso; the Commissioner of Police, Federal Operations, Akpan Anifiok; the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Police Mobile Force; other service commanders and senior officers of the Imo State Police Command.
Iniedu said the police had intensified the search operation, deploying additional tactical teams and operational resources to areas identified as relevant to the rescue effort.
He added that the operation was being supported by intelligence gathering and tracking efforts, alongside collaboration with other security agencies.
Nadada assured the public that the police would continue working to secure the victims’ safe release.
“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,” Iniedu quoted the DIG as saying.
Nadada also appealed to residents and the media to remain calm and vigilant, urging anyone with useful information to report to the police or the nearest security formation.
“All information received will be treated with strict confidentiality,” he said.
The police said further information would be released as the rescue operation progresses.
