The Oyo and Imo State governments are working with security agencies to secure the release of prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted while travelling from Ibadan to their orientation camps in Imo State.

The victims were among passengers travelling in two buses along the Owerri-Onitsha Road around Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State on October 1, 2026, when gunmen attacked the vehicles. Police subsequently launched a search-and-rescue operation.

The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, said security operatives had used drone surveillance to locate the suspected camp where the abductors were holding the victims. However, he said the operation could not immediately advance because intelligence indicated that the area had been planted with improvised explosive devices.

Earlier reports from the police said 10 victims were rescued following the attack, while the authorities continued efforts to establish the exact number of people still being held. A later security update indicated that 20 passengers were abducted from the two buses, including prospective corps members.

The development followed reports that families of 20 prospective corps members had been contacted by the abductors, who allegedly demanded ₦50 million for each victim, bringing the reported ransom demand to ₦1 billion. The families disclosed the demand while seeking assistance from the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Umar Nadada, to Imo State to strengthen and coordinate the rescue operation. Nadada reportedly arrived with two Commissioners of Police and reviewed the operational strategies and deployment of personnel and assets.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said the state government was maintaining contact with the Imo State Government and security agencies while offering its experience from previous kidnapping incidents to support the ongoing efforts. He said the government would continue working with relevant stakeholders towards the safe return of the abducted prospective corps members.