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The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Umar Nadada, to Imo State to coordinate the rescue of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other passengers abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Aniete Etuk, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, saying Nadada arrived in Imo with two Commissioners of Police to strengthen the ongoing rescue operation.
Nadada conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the situation and reviewed the search-and-rescue operation, deployment of personnel and operational assets.
He also issued further directives to strengthen the coordinated response, as the police intensified efforts to locate the abducted persons.
The assessment was conducted alongside the Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Bosso; Commissioner of Police in charge of Federal Operations, CP Akpan Anifiok; the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Police Mobile Force; other service commanders and members of the Imo State Police Command management team.
The police said additional tactical teams and operational assets had been deployed to identified areas, with intelligence-led tracking being used to locate the abductors.
The force also said it was working closely with other security agencies to secure the safe rescue of the victims and apprehend those responsible for the abduction.
Nadada assured Nigerians that the police would sustain the operation until the 20 abducted persons were rescued, urging the public and media to remain calm and vigilant.
He also appealed to anyone with credible information that could assist the operation to contact the police or the nearest security formation.
The statement quoted him as saying the Nigeria Police Force was “committed to securing the safe rescue of the 20 abducted persons and will sustain the operation until the mission is successfully concluded.”
The police assured that all information received would be treated with strict confidentiality and said further updates would be provided as the operation progresses.
Additional security personnel and assets remain deployed as efforts continue to locate the victims.
