Police Locate Kidnappers' Camp Holding 19 NYSC Members in Imo, But Can't Strike Yet Here's Why.

Imo State police have confirmed they know exactly where about 19 abducted prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members are being held, but a dangerous twist is preventing them from moving in immediately.

The victims were kidnapped on Thursday morning at about 6:30 a.m. along the Owerri-Onitsha Road by Umunoha in Imo State. They were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, heading to their orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when gunmen intercepted their vehicle.

Following the attack, police and other security agencies moved in quickly, rescuing 10 victims at the scene. However, the exact number of those still in captivity remained unclear until Saturday, when the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Audu Bosso, addressed reporters.

Speaking in a video clip that has since gone viral on social media, Mr Bosso revealed that security operatives had successfully traced the abductors deep into the bush. On Friday, drones were deployed and they captured the precise location of the kidnappers' camp.

"We trailed them up to a particular location. At that point in time, we couldn't move into where the coordinates showed us where they are because we ran drones yesterday. And the drone actually showed us exactly their location," he said.

But there is a major obstacle. Intelligence gathered by security agencies indicates that the camp has been rigged with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Walking in blindly could trigger explosions that would endanger both the rescue operation and the lives of the hostages.

"Our predicament is that with the intel we have, the camp is mined with IEDs," Mr Bosso explained.

Rather than risk a deadly confrontation, the police chief said operatives are preparing a more calculated approach. Security forces plan to move into the area with heavy equipment, including bulldozers and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), to safely navigate the mined terrain and rescue the victims unhurt.

"We are moving in there with high-velocity vehicles, that is, bulldozers; we're moving in with bulldozers and APCs to see how we're going to rescue these victims unhurt," he stated.

So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the mass abduction, and authorities have not disclosed whether any ransom demands have been made.

The incident has heightened concerns about security along major highways in the South-East, particularly as it involves young Nigerians embarking on a mandatory national service programme. Families of the abducted victims remain anxious, hoping the planned rescue mission succeeds without casualties.

The police have assured the public that every step is being taken cautiously to prioritise the safety of the victims, vowing that the operation will proceed as soon as the tactical groundwork is complete.