At least 10 people have been rescued after suspected gunmen attacked two buses carrying National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other passengers along the Owerri–Onitsha Road in Imo State.

The attack occurred on Thursday, October 1, 2026, around the Umunoha axis of the road in Mbaitoli Local Government Area, according to the Imo State Police Command.

The incident happened as prospective corps members were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to various NYSC orientation camps in the South-East and South-South.

The police said the two buses were travelling to Uyo in Akwa Ibom State and Bende in Abia State respectively when they came under attack.

In a statement issued by the Command's Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, the police said tactical teams and other operational assets were immediately deployed to begin a coordinated search-and-rescue operation.

According to the Command, the two buses were recovered and 10 victims were rescued following the response by security personnel. However, police said they were still verifying the total number of people abducted during the attack.

“The rescued victims are in safe hands and are being attended to. The exact number of persons abducted is being verified and will be made public once confirmed.”

The police also said intelligence-led tracking operations were continuing to locate the suspected abductors and secure the release of anyone still being held.

Police Commissioner Visits Scene

The Commissioner of Police in Imo State, CP Audu Bosso, reportedly visited the scene alongside other security commanders to assess the situation and provide operational direction.

The Command said the security operation would continue until all victims were recovered and those responsible for the attack were apprehended.

The affected portion of the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway has also been reopened, with traffic reportedly returning to normal while security personnel remain deployed in the area.

The police said they were also working with the NYSC authorities to contact the families of affected corps members and provide updates as the operation continues.

Members of the public were urged to remain calm and vigilant and to provide credible information that could assist security agencies. The Command said information supplied by members of the public would be treated confidentially.

Attack Comes During NYSC Orientation Exercise

The incident comes as the 2026 NYSC Batch C Stream One orientation programme gets underway.

The NYSC had earlier announced that the orientation course would begin on September 30 and run until October 20, with prospective corps members travelling to orientation camps across the country. The agency had also advised participants to avoid night journeys and use designated motor parks.

The Imo incident has therefore raised fresh concerns over the safety of young Nigerians travelling to their places of national service.

It also comes weeks after security forces rescued corps members and other passengers who had been abducted along a highway in Kogi State. In that case, security agencies said 21 people, including corps members, were rescued from the Egume Forest following a coordinated operation.

As of Thursday evening, the Imo State Police Command had not released a final figure for the total number of people abducted in the latest incident. The Command said further information would be provided as the rescue operation progresses.