Oyo Govt Gives Update on Kidnapped Corps Members in Imo
Oyo State Government has given an update on the abduction of corps members from the state who were travelling through Imo State, assuring their families that efforts are ongoing to secure their safe release.
The government said it was working with security agencies, the Imo State Government and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to respond to the incident and ensure that the abducted corps members are rescued.
The corps members were among passengers travelling in two buses from Ibadan to destinations in the South-East and South-South when the vehicles were attacked by suspected gunmen along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State.
Politics Nigeria gathered that the incident occurred at about 6:30am on Thursday, October 1, 2026, around Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
The buses were reportedly travelling towards Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and Bende, Abia State, respectively.
Reacting to the development, the Oyo State Government said Governor Seyi Makinde had directed that the necessary resources be made available to support efforts aimed at securing the victims.
Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, disclosed the government’s position in a statement issued in Ibadan.
“We are fully committed to securing the safe release of our children and will stop at nothing to ensure that they are reunited with their families without harm,” Oyelade said.
The commissioner said the state government had remained in contact with the relevant security agencies as well as authorities in Imo State and the NYSC leadership.
The government said the communication was necessary to ensure that the response to the incident was coordinated and focused on securing the victims.
Makinde, according to the statement, also reaffirmed that the safety and welfare of indigenes of Oyo State remained a priority, regardless of where they were located.
The government appealed to the families of the abducted corps members to remain calm while security agencies continued the search and rescue operation.
It also condemned the attack and described the abduction as distressing.
The development came after the Imo State Police Command confirmed that NYSC members and other passengers were abducted after the two buses came under attack.
The command said security operatives responded to the incident and recovered both vehicles.
Ten victims were also rescued at the scene.
The police, however, said the exact number of people still in captivity was being verified.
The Imo Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, said tactical teams and other security personnel had been deployed to locate the abductors and rescue the remaining victims.
“Two buses, conveying NYSC corps members and other passengers from Ibadan to Uyo, and Bende in Abia, respectively, were attacked by suspected armed men.
“Following a swift response by the Police and other security agencies, both buses have been recovered and 10 victims were rescued at the scene,” he stated.
Okoye said the rescued victims were safe and receiving attention.
He added that the police were working with other security agencies on a coordinated search and rescue operation.
“Operatives are conducting coordinated search and rescue operations, backed by intelligence-led tracking of the suspects,” he said.
The police also said the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, CP Audu Bosso, alongside other service commanders, visited the scene after the attack.
The visit was aimed at assessing the situation and giving further operational instructions to the personnel involved in the rescue effort.
The command said the operation would continue until the remaining victims were recovered and those responsible for the attack were arrested.
It also disclosed that it was working with the NYSC Directorate to establish contact with the families of the affected corps members and keep them informed as the situation develops.
The police urged members of the public to remain calm and vigilant.
The command also appealed to anyone with useful information about the whereabouts of the abductors or the remaining victims to contact the police.
“All information will be treated in utmost confidentiality,” Okoye stated.
The Oyo State Government has also urged security agencies to sustain the rescue operation and ensure that the abducted corps members return safely to their families.
The government said it remained concerned about the victims and would continue to engage with the relevant authorities until there is further progress on their release.
