By Ononye VC
The Anambra State Police Command has rescued 15 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) abducted by gunmen in the state.
It was gathered that the corps members were en route to Lagos after their three-week orientation programme before their vehicle was intercepted in Ihiala, Anambra.
The state’s police public relations officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the rescue in a statement on Tuesday.
Ikenga, a deputy superintendent of police, said the gunmen had kept the NYSC members hostage and were trailed by police operatives.
Having observed that police operatives were closing in on them, the gunmen abandoned their victims and sped off with the Toyota Hiace bus conveying the corps members.
The statement read: “Anambra State Police Operatives by 11:15 am today, 14/2/23 responding to a distress call along Isseke, Ihiala road, rescued unhurt fifteen abducted Corps members from NYSC Orientation Camp, Eziama-Obaire, Nkwerre, LGA, Imo State.
“Information reveals, that the Corps members, finished their three weeks of orientation programs today and were en route to Lagos before their vehicle was intercepted at total junction Ihiala, by yet unidentified armed men in 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 Corpers and zoomed off with the Toyota Hiace bus with Reg Nos: EPE 353 YE conveying the Corpers.
“Meanwhile, the Corps members were debriefed by police operatives and necessary arrangements have been perfected to convey them back to their destinations.”
