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 the Umunoha axis of the road in Imo State.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, CSP Anietie Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.
According to the statement, Nadada arrived in the state alongside two Commissioners of Police and immediately carried out an on-the-spot assessment of the incident and the ongoing search-and-rescue operation.
He also reviewed the strategies being deployed, the personnel involved and the operational resources available, before issuing further directives to strengthen the response.
The assessment involved the Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Garba Bosso; the Commissioner of Police in charge of Federal Operations, CP Akpan Anifiok; the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Police Mobile Force, other security commanders and members of the management team of the Imo State Police Command.
Iniedu said the police had intensified the rescue operation, deploying additional tactical teams and operational assets to areas identified as relevant to the search.
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He added that intelligence-led efforts were being used to track the suspected abductors, while the police were also working with other security agencies to locate and rescue the victims.
Nadada assured the public that the police would continue the operation until the abducted persons were safely recovered.
“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 Nadada as saying.
The DIG also appealed to members of the public and the media to remain calm and vigilant while the operation continues.
He encouraged anyone with credible information that could assist the security agencies in locating the victims or tracking the suspects to report to the police or the nearest security formation.
“All information received will be treated with strict confidentiality,” he said.
The police said additional information on the rescue operation would be made available as developments emerge.