Troops of Operation UDO KA have rescued eight prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members who were abducted by gunmen along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway in Imo State.
The victims were among passengers travelling in two commercial buses when armed men reportedly intercepted the vehicles at Umonuwa village in Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area of the state on Thursday.
According to the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), the buses were carrying a total of 30 passengers when the gunmen stopped the vehicles and abducted 20 people, including several prospective corps members.
Following the intervention of troops and other security agencies, 10 passengers, including the eight identified prospective corps members, were rescued unharmed.
The rescue operation was carried out as security agencies continued efforts to locate the remaining abducted passengers.
A statement signed by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said troops, working alongside personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and the Nigerian Air Force, sustained a joint search-and-rescue operation for the remaining victims.
The abduction occurred amid increased security operations across the country as prospective corps members travelled to different NYSC orientation camps for the 2026 Batch C Stream One exercise.
Onoja said troops had continued operations against terrorism, kidnapping and other forms of criminality across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI recorded the surrender of four terrorists and their associates in Borno State, while security personnel also arrested suspected collaborators in Borno and Yobe states.
On October 1, troops, supported by the Air Component, reportedly neutralised five terrorists during coordinated operations in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
The operation also led to the recovery of three AK-47 rifles, two pump-action rifles, one Dane gun, six AK-47 magazines and a belt of pump-action cartridges.
In another air operation, troops reportedly neutralised 16 terrorists and destroyed 15 motorcycles after surveillance identified a concentration of terrorists and motorcycles.
In the North-Central, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE rescued three persons who were suspected to have been released by kidnappers in Gbise community, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to Onoja, the victims told troops that they had been abducted in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State. Security personnel subsequently launched efforts to track the suspected kidnap syndicate.
In Cross River State, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE rescued personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) who were reportedly mobbed and disarmed by residents of Ekureku community in Abi Local Government Area.
The troops recovered five FN rifles and two Beretta pistols that had reportedly been seized from the NDLEA personnel by residents.
In the South-East, troops also rescued three people abducted from the Osakwa area of Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Following information obtained from an arrested kidnap suspect, troops located the syndicate’s camp at Abator in Ogbaru Local Government Area and carried out a follow-up operation by canoe.
The operation reportedly resulted in the neutralisation of 10 terrorists and the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, three pump-action rifles, three Dane guns, ammunition and materials allegedly used for fabricating improvised explosive devices.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, commended the troops for what he described as their courage and professionalism, particularly their intervention in Cross River State and the ongoing efforts to rescue the remaining abductees in Imo State.
He also praised the collaboration between the Armed Forces and other security agencies, while urging members of the public, traditional rulers and community leaders to continue providing credible and timely information to security personnel.
The rescue of the eight prospective corps members comes as security agencies intensify operations across the country, particularly along routes being used by young Nigerians travelling to NYSC orientation camps.
