Police Send Senior Officers to Search for 20 Abducted in Imo

Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu has sent Deputy Inspector-General Shehu Nadada and two commissioners of police to Imo State to coordinate the search for 20 people abducted from buses on October 1. The abductees include prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and other passengers, and their rescue had not been confirmed in the latest account provided. Police spokesperson Anietie Iniedu said Nadada arrived in Imo on October 3 and assessed the situation with senior officers, including the state police commissioner and the commissioner for Federal Operations. The officers reviewed the search strategy, personnel and operational resources, and Nadada issued further directions intended to strengthen the coordinated response, Iniedu said. Police said they had added tactical teams and operational assets in areas identified for the search, using intelligence-led efforts to track the suspected abductors. The operation is being conducted with other security agencies, according to Iniedu. Nadada said police would continue the operation to seek the safe return of the abducted people and the arrest of those responsible.