By George Omagbemi
Security operatives have located the suspected forest camp where prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other passengers abducted in Imo State are believed to be held, but fears that the area may be rigged with improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have delayed a direct rescue operation.
Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, said security operatives used drones on Friday to obtain the coordinates of the suspected camp after tracking the abductors into the bush.
According to Bosso, operatives have not yet entered the location because intelligence indicated that the camp may have been mined with IEDs.
He said security agencies were preparing to approach the area with specialised equipment, including bulldozers and armoured personnel carriers, in an effort to reach the victims safely.
The development follows the October 1 attack on two buses travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom. The buses were attacked around Umunoha along the Owerri-Onitsha Road.
Police initially confirmed the rescue of 10 victims, while the exact number of those still in captivity was being verified. Subsequent police updates have referred to 20 abducted persons, while other reports identify 19 prospective corps members among those being held.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has deployed Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, alongside additional commissioners and tactical assets to strengthen the search-and-rescue operation.
Security agencies are continuing intelligence-led operations aimed at rescuing the remaining victims and apprehending the suspected abductors.
The police have urged the public to remain calm and provide credible information that could assist the operation.
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