The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the successful rescue of 20 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who were abducted while travelling through Imo State.

The victims, who are graduates from Oyo State, were reportedly travelling in two buses when they were intercepted and kidnapped along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway in Imo State.

According to the police, the prospective corps members were abducted on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at Ogbaku in the Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state. The group was travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to different NYSC orientation camps, including destinations in Bende, Abia State, and Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The abduction raised concerns over the safety of young Nigerians travelling to commence their national service, particularly as the victims were on their way to fulfil a statutory national assignment.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, confirmed the development on Wednesday night, October 7, 2026, saying the victims were rescued following sustained search-and-rescue operations carried out by the police in collaboration with other security agencies.

Iniedu disclosed that the prospective corps members were located and rescued at Amakohia Ubi Village in Imo State.

He said the rescue operation was the result of coordinated efforts by security personnel who continued to search for the victims following their abduction.

According to the police spokesperson, the rescued victims have been taken to a medical facility where they are undergoing medical assessment and receiving the necessary care following their ordeal.

The police said the operation was conducted with the objective of ensuring the safe recovery of the victims while also creating an opportunity for security operatives to track those responsible for the abduction.

“The Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with sister security agencies, has rescued the 20 prospective NYSC corps members abducted in Imo State on 1st October 2026,” Iniedu said.

He added that the victims were rescued on October 7 at Amakohia Ubi Village following sustained search-and-rescue operations.

The police spokesperson further assured that security agencies were not stopping at the rescue of the victims, as efforts were already underway to identify, track and apprehend the individuals responsible for the crime.

He said security operatives were conducting coordinated operations aimed at bringing all persons found culpable in the abduction to justice.

The development brings relief to the families and relatives of the 20 prospective corps members, who had been waiting for their safe return since the incident occurred.

The abduction had also highlighted the security challenges faced by young Nigerians travelling across states for educational, professional and national-service-related activities.

While the rescue operation has brought the immediate crisis to an end, the police are expected to intensify efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the abduction and identify the perpetrators.

The authorities are also expected to investigate the route used by the victims, the circumstances under which the two buses were intercepted and how the abductors moved the victims to Amakohia Ubi Village.

For now, the police have confirmed that all 20 prospective corps members have been rescued and are receiving medical attention.

Security agencies, however, continue to pursue the suspects as investigations and coordinated operations aimed at bringing the perpetrators to justice remain ongoing.