UPDATED: Gunmen abduct passengers of 18-seater bus in Imo

– Police confirm victims as NYSC corps members

– Rescue 10

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Tragedy marred Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary in Imo State on Thursday as gunmen suspected to be herdsmen abducted passengers of commercial buses along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway.

The incident, which has gone viral on social media, occurred at about 5.30 am at a spot popularly known as No Man’s Land, Umunoha, in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers blocked the highway and whisked all passengers of an 18-seater bus into the bush.

The viral video capturing the aftermath showed an empty bus abandoned on the roadside while motorists raised the alarm.

Sources said the victims included National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members.

Residents and motorists who ply the route said the spot has become a kidnapping hotspot in recent weeks.

“A friend of mine and his family were kidnapped on that route last week. He said he paid N21m to secure their freedom. The things happening on that route are terrible,” an eyewitness alleged.

“Recently a young lady based in the USA narrated how her brother-in-law and others were kidnapped along Ogbaku Road by Fulani herdsmen. The bandits blocked the highway with their cows. Her family paid N29 million as ransom,” another source said.

Shortly after the abduction, military personnel were said to have moved into the bush in an attempt to rescue the victims.

Meanwhile, the Imo State Police Command has confirmed the incident.

In a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesperson, DSP Okoye Henry, the Command said the incident occurred at about 06.30 hrs on 1 October 2026 along Owerri-Onitsha Road by Umunoha.

According to the police, two buses conveying NYSC corps members and other passengers from Ibadan to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and Bende, Abia State, respectively, were attacked by suspected armed men.

The Command, led by Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Garba Bosso, said tactical teams and operational assets have been deployed in collaboration with sister security agencies to rescue the abducted victims and arrest the suspects.

“Following a swift response by the police and other security agencies, both buses have been recovered and 10 victims were rescued at the scene. 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,” the statement read.

The CP alongside other service commanders has visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment.

The Command said it is working with the NYSC Directorate to reach the families of the affected corps members, who will be kept informed as the situation develops.

It added that the affected section of the expressway has been reopened and traffic is flowing, with security personnel remaining deployed to protect commuters.

The police appealed for calm and urged members of the public with credible information to report to the nearest police station or contact the Command’s emergency lines.