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 the search-and-rescue operation for 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other passengers abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road.

The victims were reportedly kidnapped on Thursday, October 1, 2026, around the Umunoha area of Imo State.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, confirming that the police had intensified efforts to secure the victims’ release.

According to the statement, Nadada arrived in Imo State alongside two Commissioners of Police and immediately assessed the incident scene and ongoing efforts to locate the abducted passengers.

The Deputy Inspector-General also reviewed the operational strategies, personnel deployment and available security resources before issuing additional directives to strengthen the rescue mission.

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 service commanders and members of the management team of the Imo State Police Command.

Iniedu said the Nigeria Police Force had deployed additional tactical teams and operational resources to identified locations as part of efforts to track down the abductors and rescue the victims.

He added that the operation was being strengthened through intelligence-led strategies and coordinated activities with other security agencies.

The police spokesman quoted Nadada as assuring the public that the security operatives would sustain the operation until the abducted persons were safely rescued.

“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,” the statement quoted the DIG as saying.

He urged anyone with credible information that could assist security agencies in locating the victims or identifying the abductors to report to the police or the nearest security formation.

The Force said further updates on the search-and-rescue operation would be made available as developments unfold.