NYSC CORPS MEMBERS REPORTEDLY ABDUCTED WHILE TRAVELLING FROM IBADAN TO ORIENTATION CAMPS
Several prospective National Youth Service Corps members travelling from Ibadan to orientation camps in the South East and South South regions have reportedly been abducted after gunmen attacked vehicles on the Owerri Onitsha Expressway. Reports indicate that passengers travelling in two buses were taken into the bush, while an eyewitness travelling in another vehicle said the affected buses were later found empty. The exact number of corps members among those abducted has not been officially confirmed. The incident is currently being reported by multiple Nigerian news outlets, but the relevant security authorities had not issued a full official account at the time of filing.
A group of prospective National Youth Service Corps members travelling from Ibadan to their designated orientation camps in the South East and South South regions has reportedly been caught up in a suspected kidnapping incident along the Owerri Onitsha Expressway.
The reports emerged on Thursday, October 1, 2026, as newly mobilised corps members travelled to various orientation camps ahead of the commencement of the 2026 Batch C Stream One orientation exercise.
According to TheCable, gunmen reportedly attacked two 18 seater buses on the Owerri Onitsha Expressway in the early hours of Thursday. The passengers were allegedly robbed before being taken into a nearby bush.
CORPS MEMBERS REPORTEDLY AMONG THOSE ABDUCTED
The incident has attracted particular concern after a woman identified in a video circulating online reportedly appealed for assistance, saying her daughter, a prospective NYSC member, was among those travelling on the route.
The woman reportedly said her daughter had left Samonda in Ibadan on Wednesday with other corps members travelling towards Anambra. According to her account, the young woman contacted the family early Thursday morning and sent a message indicating that she was being kidnapped before her phone became unreachable.
The woman further claimed that the group had spent the night somewhere in Imo State before continuing their journey in the early hours of Thursday.
She reportedly said the group was travelling in three vehicles and that one vehicle escaped while passengers in the other two were allegedly abducted. These details have not yet been independently confirmed by the police or NYSC.
EXACT NUMBER OF VICTIMS REMAINS UNCLEAR
At the time of filing, there was no official confirmation establishing the exact number of passengers abducted or how many of them were prospective corps members.
Videos circulating online reportedly show two buses abandoned on the road following the attack. An eyewitness in one of the videos claimed that the passengers from the affected buses had been taken into the bush.
The Imo State Police Command had not issued a detailed official statement on the reported incident as of the latest reports reviewed by VNTV. TheCable reported that the command's spokesperson had not responded to calls and messages at the time of publication.
INCIDENT OCCURS AS 2026 BATCH C ORIENTATION BEGINS
The reported abduction comes as the NYSC 2026 Batch C Stream One orientation programme gets underway across Nigeria.
The NYSC announced that the orientation course commenced on September 30 and is scheduled to run until October 20, 2026. Registration is scheduled to continue until October 2, with the swearing in ceremony set for October 2.
Ahead of the exercise, NYSC Director General Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu advised prospective corps members to travel safely, avoid night journeys and use designated motor parks when travelling to their camps.
The NYSC also operates a 24 hour Distress Call Centre which can be reached through the short code 6972.
AUTHORITIES YET TO PROVIDE FULL ACCOUNT
The circumstances surrounding the reported attack remain under investigation.
There is currently no verified information establishing the identities, exact number or current location of all persons reportedly taken.
VNTV will continue monitoring statements from the NYSC, Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies for confirmation and further details.
Families and members of the public are advised to rely on verified information from authorities and established news organisations as efforts to establish the whereabouts of the reported victims continue.
This is a developing story. VNTV will update this report as more verified information becomes available.
