Twenty members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have reportedly been abducted by gunmen along the Owerri–Onitsha Road in Imo State.
The incident occurred on Thursday, October 1, 2026, around the Umunoha area of Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state.
According to the Imo State Police Command, the corps members were travelling in a commercial bus from Ibadan, Oyo State, to different NYSC orientation camps across the South-East and South-South regions when they were intercepted by the attackers.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident to Channels Television, stating that the Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, had visited the scene for an on the spot assessment.
Okoye said police and other security agencies had intensified efforts to locate and rescue the abducted corps members safely.
He added that security operatives were combing surrounding bushes, while a Rapid Response Team had been deployed to track the attackers and secure the victims’ release.
The incident occurred amid earlier reports circulating on social media of an attack on vehicles carrying passengers along the Owerri–Onitsha corridor. However, details circulating online about the number of vehicles involved and the identities of the attackers have varied and should be treated with caution.
As of the latest police confirmation cited by Channels Television, efforts were ongoing to rescue the 20 abducted corps members.
By Enitan Mudashiru | MUK TV News
