The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, DIG Shehu Umar Nadada, to Imo State to take charge of the ongoing search-and-rescue operation for 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other passengers abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road, Umunoha, on October 1, 2026.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued on October 2, 2026, on behalf of the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Nadada arrived in the state with two Commissioners of Police and immediately conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the situation and the ongoing rescue operation being coordinated by the Imo State Police Command.
He also reviewed the operational strategies, deployment of personnel and assets, before issuing further directives aimed at strengthening the coordinated response and enhancing efforts to locate and rescue the victims.
The assessment was conducted alongside the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso; the Commissioner of Police, Federal Operations, Akpan Anifiok; the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Police Mobile Force; other service commanders and members of the Management Team of the Imo State Police Command.
Following the assessment, the Police intensified the search-and-rescue operation, deploying additional tactical teams and operational assets to identified locations while stepping up intelligence-led efforts to track the suspected abductors.
The Police are also working in collaboration with sister security agencies to secure the safe release of the abducted persons and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
Nadada assured members of the public that the Nigeria Police Force remained committed to rescuing the 20 abducted persons, stressing that the operation would continue until the mission was successfully concluded.
He urged members of the public and the media to remain calm and vigilant, while appealing to anyone with credible information capable of assisting the operation to contact the Police or the nearest security formation.
He assured the public that all information supplied would be treated with strict confidentiality.
