Posted by Chinenye on Fri 02nd Oct, 2026 - tori.ng
About 18 NYSC members and other passengers have reportedly been taken by gunmen along the Onitsha-Owerri Road in Imo State.
(Corps Members. Photo Credit: OBSERVERS TIMES)
About 18 members of the National Youth Service Corps, along with other travellers, have reportedly been kidnapped by suspected gunmen on the Onitsha-Owerri Road in Imo State.
An eyewitness said two commercial buses carrying passengers from Lagos to Owerri were stopped by the attackers in the morning.
The gunmen allegedly forced everyone out, including the drivers, and took them away.
The eyewitness said other vehicles on the route were also hit and some passengers in them were taken too.
Online reporter learnt that the exact number of people abducted is still unknown.
The identities of the victims, where they were taken and where they are now remain unclear.
Some of the victims were corps members from Oyo State heading to their orientation camp in Abia State for the three-week programme.
A source said they left Samonda in Ibadan around 9am on Wednesday and spent the night in Imo State.
The attack happened around 6:30am on Thursday as they continued the journey to Abia.
The incident has raised fears among road users, especially those travelling between Lagos, Onitsha and Owerri.
Motorists and passengers are urged to stay alert while security agencies work to find out what happened and trace those taken.
The Imo State Police spokesperson, Okoye Henry, said he was working on a press statement from the command.