The Oyo State Government has said it is working with the Imo State Government and security agencies to secure the safe release of 20 prospective corps members abducted in Imo State.
The graduates, who are from Oyo State, were travelling from Ibadan to their NYSC orientation camps. When gunmen attacked two buses along the Owerri-Onitsha Road. The incident occurred around Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
The Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, disclosed the government’s efforts in a statement issued in Ibadan on Sunday. He said both state governments were maintaining contact while security agencies continued efforts to secure the victims.
Oyo shares experience from previous kidnapping case
Oyelade said Oyo State was providing Imo authorities with experience gained during the state’s handling of the Oriire kidnapping incident.
He said the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Oriire abduction was also being used during discussions between the two states. The panel was led by Justice (Professor) Mojeed Owoade.
The commissioner said governments could not always reveal details of security operations. He explained that releasing sensitive information could affect ongoing efforts to rescue the abducted graduates.
His comments came as families continued to await developments concerning their relatives. The abduction has also renewed concerns about the safety of prospective corps members travelling to orientation camps.
The incident follows another recent case in which security forces rescued abducted corps members and other passengers in Kogi State. Troops previously rescued 23 kidnapped victims in Sokoto during separate operations targeting criminal groups.
Gunmen attacked buses travelling from Ibadan
The victims were travelling from Ibadan when the attackers intercepted the buses along the Owerri-Onitsha route.
The Imo State Police Command confirmed the abduction and said the victims were heading to different NYSC orientation camps in the South-East and South-South. Police Public Relations Officer Henry Okoye said security personnel had begun searching surrounding areas after the attack.
The police also deployed a Rapid Response Team to track the attackers and work towards securing the victims’ release. Commissioner of Police Audu Bosso visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment following the incident.
The attack has placed additional attention on security along major roads used by graduates travelling to NYSC camps. It also comes shortly after the NYSC announced dates for another orientation exercise, highlighting the number of young graduates who travel across states for national service.
The NYSC has previously faced security concerns involving corps members on interstate journeys. The organisation recently announced November 4 for the 2026 Batch C Stream II orientation as prospective corps members prepare for another round of national service activities.
Families face ransom demand
Reports on the kidnapping have said the abductors demanded a ransom from the families of the victims.
According to the Oyo State Government’s statement, the focus remains on securing the safe return of the prospective corps members. Earlier reports had put the reported demand at N50 million per victim, although figures and the exact number of people abducted have varied across reports.
Some reports said the combined demand could reach N1 billion. However, the authorities have not publicly confirmed that the ransom demand has been paid or that negotiations have resulted in the victims’ release.
The development has heightened anxiety among relatives of the affected graduates. Families have continued to call for stronger efforts to secure their loved ones.
The security situation has also raised wider concerns about the safety of travellers on major roads across the country. In another recent incident, FCT Police arrested 300 suspects during raids on crime hotspots as security agencies continued operations against criminal activities.
Oyo urges stronger federal action
Oyelade said the responsibility for national security ultimately rests with the Federal Government and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
He said attention should therefore be placed on the measures taken during the first 72 hours after the abduction. The commissioner did not disclose details of the steps being taken by the state governments and security agencies, citing the sensitive nature of the operation.
The Oyo government said it would continue to cooperate with Imo State and the relevant security agencies. It also appealed for patience as efforts continued to secure the abducted graduates.
The state government’s position reflects the need to balance public information with operational security during a rescue effort. Authorities have generally avoided disclosing details that could expose the location of victims or compromise security operations.
Security agencies have also handled similar incidents through coordinated operations involving different formations. The police previously rescued victims after a kidnapping incident involving NYSC members in Kogi while continuing efforts to disrupt criminal networks.
Makinde previously raised security concerns
Oyelade also recalled Governor Seyi Makinde’s earlier appeal to President Bola Tinubu over the abduction of students in Borno State.
According to the commissioner, Makinde had urged the Federal Government to expedite action following the kidnapping of 40 Borno students. He linked the appeal to the experience of Oyo State, where students and teachers from Esinele and Yawota in Oriire Local Government Area were also abducted.
The Oyo government has since used the Oriire experience as part of its engagement with Imo State. The state’s judicial inquiry into the incident has provided another source of information for the ongoing discussions.
The government said it would continue sharing relevant experience with its Imo counterpart while working with security agencies. It maintained that the immediate priority was the safe return of the abducted prospective corps members.
Rescue operation continues
The Imo State Police Command has continued its search for the abducted graduates since the attack.
Later reports said security operatives had located a suspected camp where the victims were being held using drones. However, police reportedly delayed moving into the area after intelligence suggested that improvised explosive devices could have been planted around the camp.
The development means authorities are balancing the need to reach the victims quickly with concerns over the safety of personnel involved in the operation. Additional equipment and personnel have reportedly been considered as security agencies work towards reaching the location.
The Inspector-General of Police has also deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, to Imo State to strengthen coordination of the rescue effort, according to reports.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government has reiterated its commitment to working with all relevant authorities until the victims are safely recovered.
The government said it would maintain its engagement with Imo State, security agencies and other stakeholders as the operation continues.
