20 Abducted Corps Members Regain Freedom After Six Days in Captivity

Twenty prospective National Youth Service Corps(NYSC) members and another person abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State have regained their freedom after six days in captivity.

Gunmen abducted the victims while they travelled along the highway, prompting security agencies to launch a coordinated operation to track the kidnappers and secure their release.

The victims have since been taken to the Department of State Services(DSS) Hospital in Owerri for medical attention and necessary checks following their ordeal.

Their release followed an offensive operation by troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade, working with personnel from other security agencies and local vigilantes.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation began at about 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, in Amakohia Forest.

The operation involved personnel from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, DSS and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

Local vigilantes also supported the security teams as they moved into the forest following intelligence gathered during efforts to locate the abductors.

The intelligence helped the security agencies establish the possible location of the kidnappers and intensify the search for the victims.

The abduction had sparked concern over the safety of prospective corps members travelling to their places of deployment, particularly along major highways.

The victims’ release has brought relief after six days of uncertainty, while security agencies continue efforts to track criminal groups operating along the highway and surrounding areas.