IGP Deploys DIG to Imo Over Corps Members’ Abduction 

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, to Imo State to coordinate efforts to rescue 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members and other passengers abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road.

The victims were abducted on Thursday, October 1, 2026, around Umunoha in Imo State. 

In a statement issued on Friday, Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, said Nadada arrived in the state with two Commissioners of Police and immediately assessed the incident and the ongoing search-and-rescue operation.

The DIG also reviewed the deployment of personnel and operational assets, assessed the strategies being used to locate the victims and suspects, and issued additional directives to strengthen the coordinated response.

The assessment involved the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso; the Commissioner of Police in charge of Federal Operations, Akpan Anifiok; the Commissioner of Police overseeing the Police Mobile Force; other security commanders and members of the management team of the Imo State Police Command.

Iniedu said the police had deployed additional tactical teams and operational resources to areas identified as relevant to the operation.

He added that intelligence-led tracking of the suspects was being used alongside coordinated efforts with other security agencies to locate the abducted persons and secure their release.

Nadada assured the public that the police would continue the operation until the victims were safely rescued, according to the statement.

“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,” Iniedu quoted Nadada as saying.

The DIG also appealed for calm and vigilance, urging residents and other members of the public to provide any credible information that could help security agencies locate the victims or track the suspects.

He assured informants that information provided to the police would be handled confidentially.

The Nigeria Police Force said further updates would be released as the search-and-rescue operation progresses.