The 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted while travelling to their orientation camps have regained their freedom after spending seven days in captivity in Imo State.

The victims were rescued on Wednesday, October 7, following a coordinated operation involving the Nigerian military, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies.

The prospective corps members were abducted on October 1 along the Owerri-Onitsha Road near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State while travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.

Reports indicate that the victims were rescued from the Amakohia-Ubi area of Owerri West Local Government Area. One other person who was also held by the kidnappers was rescued alongside them.

Following their rescue, the victims were taken to a DSS facility in Owerri for medical assessment and necessary treatment.

The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, visited the rescued prospective corps members at the facility. He was accompanied by the Imo State Commissioner of Police, the Director of the DSS in the state and the Commander of the 34 Artillery Brigade.

The abduction had caused significant anxiety among the victims’ families, particularly after reports that the kidnappers demanded ransom for their release.

Security agencies had earlier located the suspected kidnappers’ hideout through surveillance but reportedly faced difficulties accessing the area after intelligence indicated that improvised explosive devices had been planted around the camp. Additional operational equipment was subsequently deployed as the search operation continued.

The Nigeria Police Force confirmed that the victims were rescued following sustained search-and-rescue operations and said efforts were continuing to apprehend those responsible for the abduction.

Authorities have not disclosed whether any ransom was paid or whether suspects have been arrested in connection with the abduction.

The rescue has brought relief to the families of the prospective corps members, who had spent a week waiting anxiously for their loved ones to return safely.

Utelnova will continue to monitor the development and provide updates as more details emerge.