The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has deployed Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Umar Nadada, to Imo State.
The DIG is that coordinate the search-and-rescue operation for 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members and other passengers reportedly abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road.
Nadada was deployed alongside two Commissioners of Police.
The deployment followed the abduction reported around Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State on October 1.
ValidViewNetwork reports that the latest police deployment represents an escalation of the rescue operation, with the DIG Operations now providing operational direction alongside the senior officers already involved in the search.
HOW THE ABDUCTION HAPPENED
The incident reportedly occurred at about 6:30am.Gunmen allegedly emerged from the bush and blocked two commercial buses.
The buses were travelling from Ibadan towards orientation camps in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and Bende, Abia State. The passengers reportedly included prospective NYSC corps members travelling to their orientation camps. The buses were subsequently recovered.
EARLIER POLICE ACCOUNT
An earlier police account said tactical teams had been deployed and that several victims were rescued at the scene.
At that stage, police authorities said the exact number of people abducted was still being verified. The latest Force Headquarters statement, however, identifies 20 prospective corps members and other passengers as the victims for whom the search-and-rescue operation was being coordinated.
ValidViewNetwork reports that this explains the apparent difference in figures emerging from the incident: the initial police response focused on establishing the exact number of abductees, while the subsequent deployment statement referred specifically to 20 prospective corps members and other passengers.
DIG ARRIVES IMO
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, Nadada arrived in Imo with the two Commissioners of Police. He conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the situation and the ongoing rescue operation.
The deployment is intended to strengthen coordination among the various security teams involved.
FAMILIES WAIT FOR NEWS
The abduction has also generated concern among relatives of the prospective corps members. Earlier accounts indicated that some victims were able to communicate briefly during the attack before contact was lost.
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The focus of the security operation is now on locating and safely recovering those still missing.
ValidViewNetwork reports that the police response has moved from initial verification and tactical deployment to a higher-level coordinated search, but the immediate priority remains the safe recovery of the abducted prospective corps members and other passengers.
