The Imo State Police Command has announced the rescue of 10 victims abducted by gunmen along the Owerri-Onitsha Road.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, saying the rescued victims were safe and receiving attention.
He said the exact number of people abducted was still being verified and would be made public once confirmed.
According to the command, two buses carrying NYSC corps members and other passengers were attacked by suspected armed men around 6:30am on Thursday, October 1, near Umunoha.
The buses were reportedly travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and Bende, Abia State, when they came under attack.
The police said tactical teams and other operational assets had been deployed for a coordinated search-and-rescue operation, supported by intelligence-led tracking to locate the suspected abductors and rescue the remaining victims.
The Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, alongside other service commanders, visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment and to provide operational direction.
The command said the affected section of the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway had been reopened, with traffic flowing normally, while security personnel remained deployed to protect commuters.
The police also said it was working with the NYSC directorate to contact the families of affected corps members and keep them informed of developments.
The command urged members of the public to remain calm and vigilant and provide credible information that could assist the rescue operation, assuring that all information would be treated confidentially.
Further updates are expected as the operation continues.