By Nkechi Eze
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, has strengthened ongoing search-and-rescue operations in Imo State with the deployment of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, DIG Shehu Umar Nadada, to coordinate efforts to rescue 20 prospective NYSC corps members and other passengers abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road.
According to an official statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, Nadada was deployed to the state to provide operational direction for the rescue mission following the abduction at Umunoha on October 1, 2026.
The DIG Operations, who arrived in Imo with two Commissioners of Police, conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the situation and reviewed the search-and-rescue efforts being undertaken by the Imo State Police Command.
Nadada also assessed the operational strategies, deployment of personnel and available assets, while issuing further directives aimed at strengthening the coordinated response and accelerating efforts to locate the abducted persons.
The assessment was conducted alongside the Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Garba Bosso, psc(+), mnips; 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 Police said the search operation had been intensified with additional tactical teams and operational assets deployed across identified areas, while intelligence-led tracking of the suspects was being sustained.
The Force also said it was working with sister security agencies to secure the safe rescue of the victims and apprehend those responsible for the abduction.
Nadada assured the public that the Police would sustain the operation until the 20 abducted persons were safely rescued, urging members of the public and the media to remain calm and vigilant.
He also appealed to anyone with credible information that could assist the operation to contact the Police or nearest security formation, assuring that such information would be treated with strict confidentiality.
The Police said further updates would be provided as the operation progresses.
