To drive an intensive search-and-rescue mission for 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members recently taken captive, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Olatunji Disu, has dispatched senior police commanders to Imo State.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday in Owerri.
The statement noted that Disu ordered DIG Shehu Nadada, in-charge of Operations, to immediately take over tactical operations in Owerri following the October 1 highway ambush.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the victims and other passengers were ambushed and forced into the bush along the Owerri-Onitsha Road at Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area.
The statement read: “Nadada arrived in Imo alongside two Commissioners of Police to conduct an on-the-spot assessment and review deployment of operational assets across identified criminal hideouts.
“The tactical assessment was executed alongside the Imo State Police Commissioner, Mr Audu Bosso, and Federal Operations chief, Mr Akpan Anifiok, among other commanders.
“The search-and-rescue operation has been further intensified with additional deployments of tactical teams and intelligence-led tracking of the suspects.”
It further stated that Nadada assured the public that the force remained resolute in securing the safe rescue of all 20 victims and apprehending the perpetrators.
“The Nigeria Police Force is fully committed to securing the safe rescue of the abducted persons and will sustain this operation until conclusion,” it stated.
The statement appealed to residents and media organisations to remain calm while sharing credible information with security agencies under strict confidentiality guarantees. (NAN)
What You Should Know
Following the highway ambush along the Owerri-Onitsha road that led to the abduction of twenty prospective corps members, the police leadership has escalated its tactical response by sending top-tier officers to take charge of operations in Imo State.
- Positive Impact: The direct intervention by high-ranking tactical commanders demonstrates heightened urgency and a more coordinated security approach to secure the freedom of the abducted youths.
- Potential Concerns: The incident highlights ongoing highway security vulnerabilities and commuter risks in certain regions, emphasizing the urgent need for sustained preventive measures against criminal syndicates.
