Twenty prospective members of the [National Youth Service Corps](https://www.nysc.gov.ng) who were abducted while traveling to their orientation camps in Imo State have been released, with the [Department of State Services](https://dss.gov.ng) confirming their rescue on 7 October 2026; families are now awaiting direct contact with the youths.
**Key facts**
- The kidnapping occurred on 1 October 2026 along the Onitsha‑Owerri road, affecting 20 young Nigerians.
- Security forces located the victims at Amakohia Ubi Village on 7 October 2026 and transferred them to a DSS medical facility.
- Imo State Governor [Hope Uzodimma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hope_Uzodimma) and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, confirmed the release during a joint telephone call.
- Family spokesperson Alimot Akande said, “We are happy that they have been released. This is what every parent has been waiting and praying for.”
What did the authorities do?
The DSS, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, conducted sustained search‑and‑rescue operations that culminated in the safe recovery of the abducted corps members. The rescued youths are receiving medical assessment at a DSS clinic in Owerri, while investigations continue to identify and apprehend the kidnappers.
How are the families reacting?
Alimot Akande, who leads the parents’ coalition, described a mixture of relief and lingering anxiety. She explained that families have endured sleepless nights, financial strain from ransom demands, and severe emotional trauma. “The psychological trauma has been enormous,” she said, adding that the youths now need medical care, counselling and support before they can resume their service.
Other parents echoed similar sentiments. Public servant Femi Adewale, father of one of the victims, expressed gratitude and a desire to reunite with his child. Mother Sade Oyeyemi, whose only daughter was among those taken, spoke of the fear of not knowing her child’s fate. Janet Oladosu, another affected mother, highlighted the need for safe travel arrangements for future corps members.
What is the government’s stance?
Governor Uzodimma praised the swift cooperation between Imo and Oyo State security agencies, noting that discretion was exercised to protect the lives of the abducted youths. He urged Nigerians to maintain confidence in the federal government’s ability to address security challenges.
What did the police say?
In a statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer CSP Ani Iniedu, the Nigeria Police Force confirmed that the victims were rescued on 7 October 2026 after intensive operations. The statement affirmed that the victims have been taken for medical assessment and that efforts to apprehend the perpetrators remain ongoing.
What are the next steps?
The NYSC Director‑General, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, is currently at the DSS clinic overseeing the welfare of the rescued corps members. Security agencies continue to investigate the abduction, and families are pressing for immediate contact with their children and for comprehensive post‑trauma support.
The incident underscores the vulnerability of young Nigerians traveling to their NYSC orientation camps and highlights the urgent need for enhanced security measures along major transit routes.