Atiku Condemns Abduction of NYSC Members, Demands Urgent Rescue in Imo
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the abduction of prospective NYSC members in Imo State, urging the government and security agencies to urgently rescue those still in captivity.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the abduction of prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo State, describing the incident as heartbreaking and calling on the Federal and state governments to urgently secure the release of those still being held by their abductors.
Atiku made the call on Monday, October 5, 2026, following the October 1 attack on two commercial buses carrying prospective corps members and other travellers along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in the Umunoha area of Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State. (Punch Newspapers)
The victims were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when gunmen reportedly intercepted the buses at about 6:30 a.m. Some passengers were subsequently rescued, while others remained in captivity.
Atiku calls for immediate action
Reacting to the development, Atiku urged the Federal Government, Imo State Government and security agencies to intensify their efforts to secure the safe release of everyone still in captivity.
He described the abduction of the travellers, including prospective corps members, as “heartbreaking” and said the priority should be ensuring that those still held by the kidnappers return home safely. (Vanguard News)
The former vice president also broadened his concern to other Nigerians currently being held by criminal groups. He specifically referenced more than 70 pupils and students abducted from Mussa and Lassa communities in Borno State who, according to his statement, have remained in captivity for months.
Atiku said the victims and their families should not be forgotten, while calling for clear information about government efforts to secure their release. (Trending News)
Security agencies locate suspected kidnappers' camp
The call for urgent intervention comes as security agencies intensify efforts to rescue the abducted prospective corps members.
The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, said security operatives had located the suspected kidnappers' hideout through intelligence gathering and drone surveillance. However, an immediate assault on the location was reportedly delayed after intelligence indicated that the area had been planted with improvised explosive devices (IEDs). (Channels Television)
The development has complicated the rescue operation, as security agencies must balance the need for speed with the safety of the hostages and personnel involved in the operation.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has also deployed senior officers, including the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, alongside commissioners of police to coordinate efforts to secure the victims' release.
Ransom demand fuels concern
The abduction has also generated anxiety among the victims' families following ransom demands reportedly issued by the kidnappers.
Initial reports indicated that the abductors demanded N50 million for each victim, putting the total demand at approximately N1 billion. More recent reports, however, said the demand had been reduced to N5 million per victim, or N100 million for the group.
The ransom demands have added another layer of pressure on the affected families, who have appealed for assistance in securing the safe return of their children.
The incident has also prompted renewed debate about the safety of young Nigerians travelling to NYSC orientation camps, particularly as the scheme requires graduates to travel across state boundaries for national service.
A wider security concern
Atiku linked the Imo abduction to wider concerns about insecurity on Nigeria's roads, in communities and around educational institutions.
He argued that young Nigerians were increasingly exposed to danger at different stages of their lives, from attending secondary school and university to travelling to NYSC orientation camps.
He also questioned government spending priorities, contrasting the security challenges faced by ordinary citizens with what he described as large pipeline security contracts awarded to politically connected companies. According to Atiku, protecting citizens should remain a fundamental responsibility of government. (TheCable)
His comments come amid heightened public concern over kidnapping across several parts of Nigeria. The Imo incident has particularly attracted attention because the victims were graduates travelling to fulfil a national service obligation.
Families await safe return
For the affected families, the immediate priority remains the safe return of their loved ones.
The parents of the abducted prospective corps members have reportedly sought assistance from community and traditional leaders as pressure mounts for authorities to secure the victims' release. The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has similarly called for the deployment of available intelligence and specialist security capabilities to rescue those still in captivity.
Atiku's intervention has therefore added political pressure to an already urgent security operation. His demand is centred on immediate action by the authorities to bring the abducted travellers home safely, while his wider comments highlight the continuing challenge of protecting Nigerians from kidnapping.
As security agencies work to overcome the reported IED threat around the suspected hideout, the families of the victims continue to await concrete progress.
The Imo abduction has once again placed the safety of prospective corps members and travellers on Nigeria's roads at the centre of the national security conversation. For the families involved, however, the overriding expectation remains simple: that every person still in captivity will be rescued alive and reunited with their loved ones.