Imo Kidnap: Jubilation as police rescue 20 NYSC-bound youths

There was relief among families of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted in Imo State after the victims were rescued from their kidnappers.

The prospective corps members were abducted while travelling to their orientation camps, sparking days of anxiety among their families.

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, confirmed their release on Wednesday afternoon during a telephone conversation, according to Ladoja’s media aide, Adeola Oloko.

The Olubadan had followed developments surrounding the abduction and expressed relief after receiving confirmation that the victims had been freed.

Despite the rescue, however, relatives said the youths remained in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) as of press time, meaning their parents had yet to speak with them directly.

Families relieved after days of uncertainty

Alimot Akande, a parent and spokesperson for the affected families, told Vanguard that the rescue had brought considerable relief to the families.

“We are happy that they have been released. This is what every parent has been waiting and praying for. For days, we have been living in fear and uncertainty because we did not know what could happen to our children,” she said.

Akande said the families were grateful that their children had survived the ordeal but were still waiting for the authorities to allow them access to the victims.

“Now that we have heard that they have been released, we thank God for preserving their lives. But our joy is not yet complete because we have not been able to speak with them ourselves.

“What we have heard is that they are still with the DSS. So, we are waiting for the authorities to allow us have contact with them and, most importantly, to reunite them with their families.”

She also revealed that the individual families bore the financial burden associated with securing their children’s release after the kidnappers made separate ransom demands.

“The release did not come for free. The individual parents were responsible for the release in their separate ways because the abductors had given their words on the amount of ransom involved.

“Each family had to find a way of dealing with its own situation. We were all desperate to see our children come back alive, and that was the priority for every parent.

“No government gave us anything to support the families towards the release of our children. We had to do what we could as individual families.”

Akande said the parents were willing to do everything within their means to ensure their children returned alive.

“Everybody was looking for a way to bring their child back safely. It was not an easy thing for any of us, but we were prepared to do whatever was necessary within our means to ensure that our children returned alive,” she said.

She described the emotional impact of the abduction as enormous, saying parents struggled to sleep and eat while worrying about the safety of their children.

“The psychological trauma has been enormous. Imagine having your child travelling to report for NYSC and then you suddenly hear that the vehicle they were travelling in had been attacked and the occupants abducted.

“You cannot sleep properly. You cannot eat properly. You are constantly thinking about where your child is, and whether the child is still alive.”

She appealed to authorities to provide the rescued youths with medical and psychological support.

“They need medical attention, psychological support and every necessary assistance because they have gone through a traumatic experience. They should not simply be released and left to deal with the experience on their own.”

Akande added that the incident should prompt authorities to strengthen security arrangements for prospective corps members.

“These are young Nigerians who were simply going to serve their country. They should not be exposed to this kind of danger while travelling to their orientation camps.

“We hope that the authorities will learn from what has happened and put measures in place to prevent a recurrence. The safety of prospective corps members should be taken seriously,” she said.

Parents speak on rescue

Femi Adewale, a 53-year-old public servant whose son Feyisayo was among the victims, said the family was grateful for the rescue.

“We are very happy and relieved that our children have been released. It has been a very difficult period for us as parents because we did not know what would happen to them.

“The most important thing for us now is to see our children, speak with them and know that they are safe. We thank God for preserving their lives.”

Sade Oyeyemi, whose only daughter Kemisola was also abducted, said she could hardly describe the fear she experienced while her daughter was missing.

“I am very happy that she has been released. As a mother, especially when the child involved is your only daughter, you cannot explain the kind of fear and pain you go through when you do not know where she is or what is happening to her.

“We have been praying and hoping that they would be released alive. Now that we have heard that they have been released, we are grateful to God. We only want to see her, hear her voice and know that she is truly safe.”

Janet Oladosu, a 55-year-old mother, also described the development as a major relief.

“The news of their release is a great relief to us. We have been living in fear and praying for our children. Nobody wants to hear that their child has been abducted, especially when the child was simply travelling to begin the National Youth Service.

“We thank God that they are alive and have been released. What we need now is for them to be brought back safely to their families.”

Victims undergo medical checks

Security sources said the rescued prospective corps members were receiving medical attention at a DSS facility as authorities continued investigating the abduction.

The NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, was at the DSS Clinic in Owerri attending to the rescued victims.

According to a source, “The NYSC-DG is in the company of the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Director DSS and Brigade Commander, 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, Imo State.”

Governor praises joint security operation

Governor Uzodimma praised the security agencies involved in the rescue operation and commended the cooperation between the Oyo and Imo State governments.

He said the security agencies displayed professionalism and patriotism by ensuring the 20 victims were rescued unharmed.

According to the governor, authorities deliberately kept details of the operation private because the safety of the abducted youths was their primary concern.

“Since the issue involved the security of lives, the government was cautious about releasing too much information to the public, hence the discreet manner in which it was handled,” Uzodimma said.

He added that he “is particularly grateful to the security agencies for the discreet and collaborative manner in which they tackled the challenge.”

The governor also praised the parents for remaining patient during the ordeal and urged Nigerians to maintain confidence in the Federal Government’s efforts to tackle insecurity.

Police confirm rescue at Amakohia Ubi

The Nigeria Police Force confirmed that all 20 prospective corps members had been rescued.

In a statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the police said the victims were rescued on October 7, 2026, following sustained search-and-rescue operations.

“The Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with sister security agencies, has rescued the 20 prospective NYSC corps members abducted in Imo State on 1st October 2026.

“The victims were rescued on 7th October 2026 at Amakohia Ubi Village, Imo State, following sustained search-and-rescue operations. They have since been taken for medical assessment and necessary care.

“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend those responsible for the abduction, as the Police and other security agencies sustain coordinated operations towards bringing all culpable persons to justice.”

Africans Angle News