There was serious tension in Anambra State on Tuesday as gunmen kidnapped 15 members of the National Youth Service Corps( NYSC) in the State.
The corps members were among those who had completed their three-week orientation programme in Imo State and were travelling to Lagos when they were abducted by the hoodlums.
The ugly incident took place at a filling station in Ihiala, in the Ihiala Local Government Area of the Anambra State.
Their vehicle was said to have been diverted to Isseke, Ihiala-Orlu expressway where the gunmen held them hostage.
It was gathered that the moment the hoodlums noticed that they were being chased by police operatives, they abandoned the NYSC members and zoomed off.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), in the state SDP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident, said the corps members had been rescued unhurt.
He said, “Anambra State Police Operatives, by 11:15 am today( Tuesday) 14/2/2023 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 reveals that the Corps members finished their three weeks of orientation programs today( Tuesday) and were en route to Lagos before their vehicle was intercepted at total junction Ihiala by yet-to-be- unidentified armed men in unmarked white Toyota Hilux.
“Their(corps members’) 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.”
Ikebga said the corps members had been debriefed by police operatives and necessary arrangements had been perfected to convey them back to their destinations, while assuring further statement on the incident.
