Gunmen have attacked two buses along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway in Imo State, abducting several passengers, including prospective National Youth Service Corps members.
The attack happened at about 6:30 a.m. Thursday near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area, according to the Imo State Police Command.
The buses were carrying passengers travelling from Ibadan to orientation camps in Akwa Ibom and Abia states when they were attacked.
Police spokesman Henry Okoye said 10 victims were rescued at the scene after security operatives intervened, while the exact number of people still held by the attackers was being verified.
“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,” Okoye said.
He added that “operatives are conducting coordinated search and rescue operations, backed by intelligence-led tracking of the suspects.”
The police said Commissioner of Police Audu Bosso and other security commanders visited the scene, while security personnel were deployed to search surrounding bushes and track the attackers.
A source quoted by Vanguard said the attackers took advantage of slow-moving traffic caused by cattle crossing the road.
“Many people were kidnapped.
"They usually launch attacks when their cattle are crossing the road because they know vehicles will slow down,” the source said.
The incident has caused concern among families of the prospective corps members.
One mother said her daughter sent a message about kidnappers before becoming unreachable.
The police said efforts would continue until all victims are rescued and the suspected abductors arrested.
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