Some National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted by gunmen along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State have reportedly regained their freedom.
The corps members were among passengers abducted on October 1, 2026, when gunmen attacked two buses around Umunoha in the Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state.
Sources familiar with the development said the abducted corps members were released at about 4pm on Wednesday.
However, the reported release has yet to be officially confirmed by the Imo State Police Command.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, said he was not aware of the reported development and had not received any official briefing concerning the release.
The initial attack involved two buses conveying NYSC members and other passengers travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to Uyo in Akwa Ibom State and Bende in Abia State.
The police had earlier confirmed that 10 victims were rescued following a coordinated operation by security agencies, while efforts continued to locate and rescue those still in captivity.
The exact number of people abducted in the incident had also been subject to verification, although subsequent reports put the number of abducted prospective corps members at about 20.
Security agencies had intensified search-and-rescue operations following the incident, with the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, deploying the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, to coordinate the operation in Imo State.
The reported release of the remaining victims, if confirmed, would bring relief to their families and colleagues who have been awaiting their safe return.
As of Wednesday evening, however, the police had yet to officially confirm that the corps members had regained their freedom.
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