Twenty prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, abducted in Imo State on October 1, have regained their freedom following a search and rescue operation by the police and other security agencies.
Meanwhile, Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has applauded security agencies for their quick intervention stressing that he is pleased with the security agencies for their collaboration and patriotism in ensuring that the corps members were rescued unharmed.
The victims were rescued on Wednesday, October 7, at Amakohia Ubi Autonomous Community in Owerri West LGA, Imo State, according to a statement issued by the Nigeria Police Force.
DrumAfricanews recalled that the victims were abducted at Umunoha Community in Mbaitolu LGA of Imo State and by research, the driving distance from Umunoha (in Mbaitoli LGA) to Amakohia Ubi (in Owerri West LGA) in Imo State is approximately 13.8 kilometers (km), and it requires about a 30-minute drive under typical traffic conditions to move, a process the abductors must have gone through from October 1st to 7th.
The rescued prospective corps members have been taken for medical assessment and necessary care.
The police said efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest those behind the abduction, adding that coordinated operations with other security agencies would continue until all those found responsible were brought to justice.
The Force also acknowledged the cooperation of members of the public, stressing the importance of continued collaboration between residents and security agencies in responding to security threats and protecting lives and property.
The update was contained in a press release issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
Also in a statement he personally signed, Governor Uzodimma also expressed satisfaction with the collaborative efforts of both the Oyo and Imo State Governments towards the quick release of all 20 captives.
He said that 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.
The Governor said he was particularly grateful to the security agencies for the discreet and collaborative manner in which they tackled the challenge.
He also praised the parents for their patience during the trying period and urged Nigerians to always have faith in the Federal Government to overcome the current security challenges in the country.
