The Imo State Police Command has confirmed the demand of N950 million ransom for the release of the 18 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other travellers kidnapped in Owerri by their abductors.
The Imo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Okoye Henry, told Nigerian Tribune in Owerri on Saturday.
He advised family members or friends not to give the abductors any money for the release of their children or relations.
He, however, disclosed that the search and bush-combing for the rescue of the kidnapped victims are ongoing.
He assured that the Police team already searching is closing in to where they are.
The PPRO said that the challenge they are facing right now is that the actual place where the victims and their abductors are is mild, but he however assured that they would soon be rescued.
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👉 JOIN WHATSAPP CHANNELHe said: “The safety of the victims is more important than any other thing.”
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, DIG Shehu Umar Nadada, mni, to Imo State to provide operational direction for the ongoing search-and-rescue mission of the prospective NYSC corps members and other passengers abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road, Umunoha, on 1 October 2026.
The DIG Operations had arrived in the state with two Commissioners of Police and conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the situation and the ongoing search-and-rescue efforts of the Command.
In a statement issued by CSP Anietie Iniedu, the Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, they also reviewed the operational strategies, deployment of personnel as well as operational assets, and provided further directives to strengthen the coordinated response.
The assessment was conducted alongside the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Audu Garba Bosso, psc(+), mnips; the Commissioner of Police, Federal Operations, CP Akpan Anifiok, psc, mnips; the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Police Mobile Force; as well as other Service Commanders and members of the Management Team of the Imo State Police Command.
The search-and-rescue operation has been further intensified, with additional deployments of tactical teams and operational assets across identified areas, backed by intelligence-led tracking of the suspects.
He said that the Police are working in close coordination with sister security agencies to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted persons and the apprehension of the perpetrators.
The DIG Operations, DIG Shehu Umar Nadada, assured members of the public that the Nigeria Police Force is committed to securing the safe rescue of the 20 abducted persons and will sustain the operation until the mission is successfully concluded.
He urged members of the public and the media to remain calm and vigilant and encouraged anyone with credible information that could assist the operation to promptly contact the Police or the nearest security formation. All information received will be treated with strict confidentiality.
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