The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu, on Saturday arrived in Maiduguri, Borno State, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to security agencies to rescue all abducted persons across the country.

Shuaibu arrived at about 11:00 a.m. at the headquarters of the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, at the Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri.

His visit comes amid renewed efforts by security agencies to intensify operations against terrorists and bandits and secure the release of victims held in captivity.

The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, disclosed on Thursday, October 15, that President Tinubu issued the directive during a security meeting with heads of security agencies at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

According to Musa, the President directed security operatives to deploy all necessary resources to locate and rescue abducted persons, irrespective of where they are being held.

“The directive from the President is: all of us must go all out to fish out and rescue all those that have been abducted, kidnapped, wherever they are,” the minister said.

He added that the President had also ordered security agencies to ensure that no terrorist or bandit camp remained anywhere in the country.

“There shouldn’t be any camp of any terrorists or bandits anywhere in Nigeria,” Musa stated.

The Chief of Army Staff’s arrival in Maiduguri underscores the military’s ongoing efforts to strengthen counterterrorism operations in the North-East, a region that has faced years of insurgency by armed groups.

The renewed directive places further responsibility on security agencies to intensify intelligence-led operations, dismantle terrorist strongholds and secure the safe return of all abducted victims.

The National Policing Bill is 90 per cent ready for transmission to the National Assembly, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has said.

Gbajabiamila, who chairs the Presidential Working Group on Police Reform, disclosed this on Thursday after a steering committee meeting at the State House in Abuja.

He said the bill could be transmitted to the National Assembly within one to two weeks, following a final review to address outstanding issues raised by state governors.

“The National Policing Bill is more or less ready for transmission to the National Assembly,” he said, adding that the committee needed one more meeting to finalise the document.

Gbajabiamila described the proposed legislation as one of the most important bills of the Tinubu administration, noting that the working group had held several meetings since it began deliberations on August 3.

He also expressed confidence that the Sixth Constitution Alteration Bill, which seeks to establish state police, would receive support across the country.

According to him, there is a national consensus on the need for the constitutional amendments, and he sees no reason why any state should withdraw its support.

The meeting was attended by Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani; and Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, among other government officials and members of the working group.

The proposed National Policing Bill is part of ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s policing system, while the constitutional amendment on state police is expected to pave the way for states to establish their own police services.

**Rescue Operation Ends Ordeal as NYSC DG, Security Chiefs Visit Victims in Owerri**

Twenty prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), along with another abducted passenger, have regained their freedom after days in captivity following their abduction along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State.

The victims were rescued from a forest in Amakohia-Ubi, Owerri West Local Government Area of the state, in a coordinated operation involving security agencies.

Their release brings relief to families who had endured days of uncertainty and anxiety following the October 1 abduction.

From Journey to NYSC Camp to Kidnappers’ Den

The victims were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when their journey was abruptly cut short.

The two buses conveying the prospective corps members came under attack around Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.

The attack sparked a major security operation as authorities moved to locate the abducted corps members and dismantle the kidnappers’ hideout.

For the victims and their families, however, the days that followed were marked by fear, uncertainty and desperate prayers for their safe return.

Reports that the abductors were demanding as much as ₦50 million for each victim further heightened concerns among the families.

Security Forces Close In

As the search intensified, the Imo State Police Command reportedly located the kidnappers’ camp through drone surveillance.

However, security operatives were unable to immediately move into the area after intelligence indicated that the route and the camp had allegedly been fortified with improvised explosive devices.

Additional operational assets, including bulldozers and armoured personnel carriers, were subsequently deployed as security forces worked to gain access to the location.

Police had earlier announced the rescue of 10 victims following the attack, while efforts continued to locate those still being held captive.

The latest operation has now secured the freedom of the remaining 20 prospective corps members and another abducted victim.

Victims Receive Medical Attention

Following their rescue, the victims were taken to the Department of State Services (DSS) Hospital in Owerri for medical attention and comprehensive medical checks.

The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, visited the rescued victims at the DSS clinic, where he addressed them and assessed their condition.

He was accompanied by the Imo State Commissioner of Police, the Director of the DSS in the state and the Commander of the 34 Artillery Brigade.

The presence of the NYSC leadership and senior security officials underscored the seriousness with which authorities treated the incident and the wellbeing of the rescued corps members.

While the victims have now regained their freedom, details surrounding the operation remain closely guarded.

It is also unclear whether any suspects were arrested during the rescue operation or whether any ransom was paid to secure the victims’ release.

The police, however, said the operation to apprehend those behind the abduction remains ongoing.

According to the Force Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu, security agencies would continue coordinated operations to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

Uzodimma Commends Security Agencies

Reacting to the development, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, commended the security agencies for what he described as their quick and coordinated intervention.

The governor expressed particular satisfaction that the corps members were rescued unharmed, praising the collaboration and patriotism demonstrated by the security agencies involved.

Uzodimma also acknowledged the cooperation between the Oyo and Imo State Governments, saying their joint efforts contributed to the successful release of all 20 captives.

He explained that because the incident involved the safety of human lives, authorities deliberately avoided releasing sensitive information while the rescue operation was underway.

According to him, the discreet approach was necessary to protect the victims and ensure that security agencies could carry out their operations without compromising their mission.

The governor also praised the parents and relatives of the abducted corps members for their patience and resilience throughout the difficult period.

He urged Nigerians to continue to have faith in the Federal Government and security agencies as efforts continue to address the country’s security challenges.

A Moment of Relief

For the rescued corps members, their release marks the end of a frightening interruption to what was supposed to be the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.

What started as a routine journey to NYSC orientation camps became an ordeal that left families waiting anxiously for news of their loved ones.

Their eventual rescue offers a moment of relief, while also renewing questions about security along major highways and the safety of young Nigerians travelling to serve their country.

For now, the focus remains on the recovery of the rescued victims, while security agencies continue efforts to identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible for the abduction.