The Nigeria Police Force has stepped up efforts to rescue 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members and other passengers abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State.

Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, to coordinate the search and rescue operation in the state.

The victims were reportedly abducted around Umunoha on Thursday, October 1, while travelling to their respective NYSC orientation camps.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Anietie Iniedu, said Nadada arrived in Imo State with two Commissioners of Police and carried out an assessment of the incident and ongoing rescue efforts.

The police delegation included the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso; Commissioner of Police in charge of Federal Operations, Akpan Anifiok; the Commissioner of Police overseeing the Police Mobile Force; other security commanders and members of the state police command’s management team.

Following the assessment, the DIG reviewed the deployment of personnel, operational strategies and equipment being used in the search operation. He also issued additional directives to strengthen coordination among the security teams.

According to the police, more tactical personnel and operational resources have been deployed to locations identified as relevant to the search.

Iniedu said security agencies were also using intelligence-led tracking to locate the abductors, while working with other security agencies involved in the operation.

Nadada assured the public that the police would continue the operation until the abducted persons were safely recovered.

The police also appealed to residents and members of the public with useful information about the victims or their abductors to contact security authorities, assuring them that such information would be kept confidential.

The Force said further updates would be provided as the rescue operation progresses.