Posted by Chinenye on Fri 02nd Oct, 2026 - tori.ng
A group of corps members travelling from Oyo State through Imo State were attacked and taken away by suspected gunmen.
(Seyi Makinde. Photo by Naijaonpoint)
The Oyo State Government has given an update on the abduction of corps members from the state who were travelling through Imo State.
It assured their families that efforts are on to secure their safe release.
The government said it is working with security agencies, the Imo State Government and the National Youth Service Corps to respond to the incident and rescue the victims.
The corps members were among passengers in two buses from Ibadan heading to the South-East and South-South when suspected gunmen attacked them along the Owerri-Onitsha Road.
Politics Nigeria gathered that it happened around 6:30am on Thursday, October 1, 2026, near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area.
One bus was going to Uyo in Akwa Ibom State and the other to Bende in Abia State.
Governor Seyi Makinde has directed that the needed resources be made available to support the effort.
Information Commissioner Prince Dotun Oyelade said in a statement in Ibadan that the government will stop at nothing to reunite the children with their families unharmed.
He said the state is in contact with security agencies, Imo authorities and the NYSC leadership so the response stays coordinated.
Makinde also said the safety of Oyo indigenes remains a priority wherever they are.
The government urged families to stay calm, condemned the attack and called the abduction distressing.
The Imo State Police Command confirmed that corps members and other passengers were abducted.
Police spokesperson DSP Henry Okoye said officers responded quickly, recovered both buses and rescued 10 victims at the scene.
He said the rescued victims are safe and receiving attention.
The exact number of people still held is being verified.
Okoye said tactical teams are searching for the abductors and the remaining victims, backed by intelligence-led tracking of the suspects.
Commissioner of Police Audu Bosso and other commanders visited the scene to assess the situation and give instructions.
Police said the operation will go on until the remaining victims are found and those behind the attack are arrested.
They are also working with the NYSC Directorate to reach the families and keep them informed.
The police urged the public to stay calm and alert and asked anyone with information on the abductors or the victims to come forward, promising that all information will be treated in confidence.