INC STRONGLY REJECTS ANY STAGE-MANAGED RELEASE OF 20 KIDNAPPED PROSPECTIVE NYSC CORPS MEMBERS ALONG OWERRI–ONITSHA ROAD; DEMANDS IMMEDIATE JOINT POLICE AND MILITARY OPERATION IN SUSPECTED KIDNAPPERS’ FOREST AND HIDEOUTS*

PRESS STATEMENT

*INC STRONGLY REJECTS ANY STAGE-MANAGED RELEASE OF 20 KIDNAPPED PROSPECTIVE NYSC CORPS MEMBERS ALONG OWERRI–ONITSHA ROAD; DEMANDS IMMEDIATE JOINT POLICE AND MILITARY OPERATION IN SUSPECTED KIDNAPPERS’ FOREST AND HIDEOUTS*

The Igbo National Council (INC) Worldwide expresses serious concern over the reported release of prospective NYSC members who were allegedly abducted along the Owerri–Onitsha Road in Imo State on October 1st 2026 while on transit to NYSC Camp.

Having properly analyzed the scenario of the purported release of the Corps members, INC demands a transparent account of the circumstances surrounding their reported release and calls on the Nigeria Police Force and the Military to intensify immediate efforts to locate the kidnappers, dismantle their hideouts and arrest all those involved.

The INC Worldwide views the abduction of young Nigerians preparing to serve their country as a grave security concern that demands urgent, decisive and accountable action by the relevant security agencies. The safety of citizens travelling on our highways must not be left to chance, while forests and other isolated locations must not become safe havens for criminal gangs.

THE COUNCIL THEREFORE REJECTS ANY STAGE-MANAGED RELEASE OR PUBLIC PRESENTATION THAT FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE TRUE ACCOUNT AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE RELEASE AND THE FATE OF ALL VICTIMS..

However, the INC emphasizes that this position is a demand for transparency and verification, not an assertion that the reported release was stage managed. The Police and other relevant authorities must provide verifiable information concerning the rescue operations or release, confirm the identities and welfare of all affected persons, and clarify whether any suspects have been apprehended.

Consequently, the Igbo National Council (INC) Worldwide makes the following demands:

1. The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Commissioner of Police (CP), Imo State Command, should immediately coordinate a comprehensive security operation to search suspected forest hideouts and other locations linked to the abduction, and arrest the suspected kidnappers.

2. The Police should pursue credible intelligence, conduct professional investigations, identify all persons connected to the crime and prosecuted them in accordance with the law.

3. The Imo State Police Command should issue a factual briefing on the incident, detailing the circumstances of the reported release, the verified status of all victims, the progress of investigations and the security measures being taken to prevent further attacks.

4. The Police should strengthen collaboration with credible, vetted and properly supervised community vigilante groups and local security structures in the State to improve intelligence gathering, forest surveillance and the protection of vulnerable communities and travellers.

5. The relevant security agencies should intensify patrols, establish effective rapid-response arrangements and undertake coordinated surveillance of identified kidnapping hotspots along the highway and surrounding communities.

Finally, INC further urges members of the public to provide credible information to the appropriate security agencies while avoiding the circulation of unverified reports that could compromise rescue operations or endanger citizens.

We call on the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to act with urgency, professionalism and transparency. The forests and criminal hideouts surrounding our communities must not be allowed to remain operational bases for kidnappers, and every effort must be made to ensure that victims are safe and those responsible are brought to justice.

Chilos Godsent
President
Igbo National Council (INC)
9th October 2026