- Safiu Kehinde
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has ordered the deployment of top police chiefs to Imo to lead an aggressive search-and-rescue operation for 20 abducted prospective corps members.
NPO Reported that the graduates heading to the National Youths Service Corp (NYSC) orientati9n camp in Abia and Akwa-Ibom states were abducted in the early hours of Thursday along the Owerri-Onitsha Road.
As part of the intensified effort to secure their release, Disu ordered DIG Shehu Nadada, in-charge of Operations, to immediately take over tactical operations in Owerri following the October 1 highway ambush.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday in Owerri.
Attached to Nadada were two Commissioners of Police who have since arrived in Imo.
“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.” The statement partly read.
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 police appealed to residents and media organisations to remain calm while sharing credible information with security agencies under strict confidentiality guarantees.
