+34
Troops of Operation UDO KA rescued eight prospective NYSC members after gunmen abducted 20 passengers on the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway in Imo State, the Defence Headquarters said.
Troops of Operation UDO KA have rescued eight prospective National Youth Service Corps members who were abducted by gunmen along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway in Imo State, the Defence Headquarters announced. The victims were among passengers travelling in two commercial buses when the gunmen intercepted the vehicles at Umonuwa village in Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area on Thursday.
According to the DHQ, the two buses were conveying a total of 30 passengers when the gunmen flagged them down and abducted 20 persons, including several prospective corps members.
Ten passengers, among them the eight identified prospective corps members, were subsequently rescued unharmed following the intervention of troops and other security agencies.
The incident occurred as prospective corps members travelled to various orientation camps for the 2026 Batch C Stream One exercise, a period of heightened movement across the country.
Joint Search and Rescue Operation in Imo
In a statement signed by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the DHQ said troops, alongside personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services and the Nigerian Air Force, had continued a joint search-and-rescue operation for the remaining abductees.
Onoja said troops had sustained operations against terrorism, kidnapping and other forms of criminality across the country six geopolitical zones.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, commended the troops for their courage and professionalism, particularly their intervention in Cross River State and the ongoing operation to rescue the remaining abductees in Imo.
He also commended the collaboration between the Armed Forces and other security agencies and urged members of the public, traditional rulers and community leaders to continue providing credible and timely information to troops.
Operations Across Nigeria Six Geopolitical Zones
In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI recorded the surrender of four terrorists and their associates in Borno State, while troops also arrested suspected terrorist collaborators in Borno and Yobe states.
On October 1, troops supported by the Air Component neutralised five terrorists during coordinated operations in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State. The troops recovered three AK-47 rifles, two pump-action rifles, one Dane gun, six AK-47 magazines and a belt of pump-action cartridges.
In a separate air operation, troops neutralised 16 terrorists and destroyed 15 motorcycles after surveillance detected a concentration of terrorists and motorcycles.
In the North-Central, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE rescued three persons suspected to have been released by kidnappers in Gbise community, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
Onoja said the victims told troops they had been abducted in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State, prompting efforts to track the kidnap syndicate.
Rescues in Cross River and Anambra States
In the South-South, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE rescued personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency who were reportedly mobbed and disarmed by residents of Ekureku community in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The troops recovered five FN rifles and two Beretta pistols that had been seized from the NDLEA personnel by residents.
In the South-East, troops also rescued three persons abducted from the Osakwa area of Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Following information obtained from an arrested kidnapper, troops located the syndicate camp at Abator in Ogbaru Local Government Area and conducted a follow-up operation by canoe.
The operation resulted in the neutralisation of 10 terrorists and the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, three pump-action rifles, three Dane guns, ammunition and materials for fabricating improvised explosive devices.
The DHQ statement underlined the continuing pressure on criminal networks as security agencies pursue the remaining abductees from the Imo incident and suspects linked to kidnapping and terrorism nationwide.
Operation UDO KA Imo State NYSC Defence Headquarters Kidnapping Michael Onoja Nigeria Security
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Imo Police Rescue 10 After Gunmen Attack Buses Carrying NYSC MembersGunmen attacked two buses carrying NYSC corps members and other passengers in Imo State, abducting an unconfirmed number of people. Police rescued 10 victims and recovered both buses as search operations continue.
Read more »
Gunmen Abduct Prospective NYSC Members and Passengers in Imo Highway AttackGunmen attacked two buses carrying prospective NYSC members and other passengers along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State, rescuing 10 victims while the number of those abducted is still being verified.
Read more »
Troops Rescue Eight NYSC Members After Imo Highway AbductionNigerian security forces rescued eight prospective NYSC members and two other passengers after gunmen abducted 20 people from two buses on the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway in Imo State. A joint search-and-rescue operation continues for the remaining victims.
Read more »
Oyo State Government Condemns Abduction of Corps Members in Imo StateThe Oyo State Government has condemned the abduction of some NYSC members from the state in Imo State and says it is coordinating with security agencies, the Imo government and NYSC leadership to secure their release.
Read more »