The police in Anambra State says it has rescued 15 members of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) abducted along the Isseke, Ihiala Road, in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
In a statement on Tuesday, the state police spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, said they were corps members from the NYSC Orientation Camp, Eziama-Obaire, Nkwerre Local Government Area, Imo State.
Ikenga said after the corps members had finished their orientation on Tuesday, they were heading to Lagos, when the yet-to-be-identified gunmen, in an unmarked white Toyota Hilux, intercepted their vehicle at a junction in Ihiala, and diverted them to Isseke, Ihiala-Orlu Expressway, where they were kept hostage.
He said, “The Anambra State Police operatives, by 11.15am on February 14, 2023, responding to a distress call along Isseke, Ihiala Road, rescued unhurt 15 abducted corps members from NYSC Orientation Camp Eziama-Obaire, Nkwerre, LGA, Imo State.
“Information revealed that the corps members, finished their three weeks orientation programmes today and were en route to Lagos before their vehicle was intercepted at a junction in Ihiala, by yet unidentified armed men in an unmarked white Toyota Hilux.
“Their vehicle was diverted to Isseke, Ihiala-Orlu expressway where the gunmen kept them hostage.
“The armed men noticed they are being followed by police operatives, abandoned the corps members and zoomed off with the Toyota Hiace bus with registration number EPE 353 YE conveying the corps members.
“Meanwhile, the corps members were debriefed by police operatives and necessary arrangements have been perfected to convey them back to their destinations.”
