The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, DIG Shehu Nadada, to Imo State to coordinate the rescue of the prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other passengers abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha expressway on October 1, 2026.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, made this known via a statement issued on Saturday, October 3.
Iniedu said the DIG arrived Imo State with two Commissioners of Police and conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the situation and the ongoing search-and-rescue efforts.
Iniedu said the DIG also reviewed the operational strategies, deployment of personnel as well as operational assets, and provided further directives to strengthen the coordinated response.
The police spokesperson noted that the assessment was conducted alongside the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso; the Commissioner of Police, Federal Operations, Akpan Anifiok; the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Police Mobile Force; as well as other Service Commanders and members of the Management Team of the Imo State Police Command.
Iniedu said the search-and-rescue operation has been further intensified, with additional deployments of tactical teams and operational assets across identified areas, backed by intelligence-led tracking of the suspects.
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Iniedu added: “The Police are working in close coordination with sister security agencies to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted persons and the apprehension of the perpetrators.
“The DIG Operations, DIG Shehu Umar Nadada, assured members of the public that 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.
“He urged members of the public and the media to remain calm and vigilant and encouraged anyone with credible information that could assist the operation to promptly contact the Police or the nearest security formation. All information received will be treated with strict confidentiality.
“Further updates will be issued as the operation progresses.”
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