Imo abduction: Igbo youth leaders demand rescue of NYSC members, arrests of kidnappers

The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has condemned the abduction of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other passengers along the Owerri–Onitsha Road in Imo State, demanding the immediate rescue of those still in captivity and the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators.

The group also called for a comprehensive security review of major highways in the South-East, warning that Nigerian roads must not become hunting grounds for kidnappers and other criminal elements. Blueprint reports

The abduction occurred at about 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2026, near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, when armed men reportedly intercepted two buses conveying corps members and other passengers travelling from Ibadan to orientation camps in the South-East and South-South.

The Imo State Police Command confirmed the incident and announced the rescue of 10 victims, while efforts continued to establish the exact number of persons still being held.

In a statement signed by its President-General, Comrade Goodluck Ibem, COSEYL described the attack as an unacceptable assault on the lives, dignity and freedom of innocent Nigerians, particularly young graduates travelling to fulfil their national service obligation.

Demands immediate rescue, investigation

The coalition expressed concern that armed criminals could intercept passengers on a major highway in broad daylight, insisting that such incidents must not be allowed to become normalised.

It urged security agencies to deploy all available intelligence, surveillance, tracking and operational resources to secure the release of every remaining victim.

While commending security personnel involved in rescuing the 10 passengers, COSEYL urged them to sustain the operation until all victims were accounted for and those responsible apprehended.

The group also demanded a full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack, including how the kidnappers operated along the Owerri–Onitsha corridor despite the presence of security checkpoints.

It called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the abductors and their collaborators, alongside strengthened surveillance and rapid-response mechanisms on the affected road and other identified kidnapping-prone highways across the South-East.

Calls for protection of corps members

COSEYL urged the Federal Government, Imo State Government, Nigeria Police Force, military, NYSC management and other relevant authorities to treat the safety of corps members travelling to orientation camps as an urgent national security responsibility.

It noted that the NYSC scheme was established to promote national integration, stressing that young Nigerians responding to the call to national service should not be exposed to avoidable security risks.

The coalition further advocated a comprehensive review of travel arrangements for prospective corps members, particularly where routes pass through known security flashpoints.

It also called for regular and transparent communication with the families of the abducted persons, warning that relatives should not be left to depend on rumours, social media reports or conflicting information while their loved ones remain missing.

Seeks stronger community intelligence

The group called for improved intelligence-sharing among host communities, transport operators, the police, military and other security agencies to prevent a recurrence of the incident.

It urged communities along major highways to strengthen legitimate community-based intelligence networks and promptly report suspicious movements to security agencies.

According to COSEYL, the responsibility of combating kidnapping should not rest exclusively on security personnel, as government, communities and citizens must work together to deny criminal groups the opportunity to operate.

The coalition warned that the South-East could not afford to surrender its highways to kidnappers, adding that the abduction of innocent Nigerians must not be treated as routine news.

“Every abducted Nigerian is somebody’s child, parent, sibling or loved one. Every corps member travelling to serve Nigeria deserves protection. Every Nigerian has a right to move freely without living in fear of being kidnapped,” the statement said.

COSEYL pledged to continue demanding accountability, security and justice for the victims, urging the authorities to act without further delay.

“Enough is enough,” the group declared.