COSEYL Demands Action After NYSC Members Abducted in Imo

The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) condemned the abduction of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other passengers on October 1, 2026, along the Owerri–Onitsha Road in Imo State. Armed men intercepted two buses carrying corps members traveling from Ibadan to orientation camps.

The Imo State Police Command confirmed the incident and reported the rescue of 10 victims, while efforts to ascertain the total number still in captivity were ongoing. COSEYL, led by President-General Comrade Goodluck Ibem, described the attack as an unacceptable assault on innocent Nigerians, particularly young graduates fulfilling their national service.

The coalition called for immediate action from security agencies to secure the release of all remaining victims and demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the attack, including the effectiveness of security checkpoints along the highway. They urged the Federal and Imo State Governments, alongside relevant authorities, to prioritize the safety of corps members and review travel arrangements through known security flashpoints.