About 19 young people set to join the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) were kidnapped while on their way from Oyo State to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states. They have now been freed.
Reports say they were released during an operation by military and police in Imo State, located in Nigeria's South-east.
Along with the NYSC members, a civilian whose identity is not yet known was also freed.
Sources in security told this paper on Wednesday evening that the rescued individuals were taken to the State Security Service (SSS) office in Owerri, Imo State.
"They were taken to the DSS (SSS) Hospital in Owerri for treatment," a police officer confirmed.
It is still unclear if any ransom was paid for the release of those who were kidnapped.
The release happened exactly one week after they were taken hostage.
Earlier reports mentioned that gunmen kidnapped the prospective NYSC members at around 6:30 a.m. on Thursday along the Owerri-Onitsha Road near Umunoha in Imo State.
They were on their way from Ibadan, Oyo State, heading to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
The police later stated that 10 victims were rescued at the scene thanks to the quick action of police and other security agencies.
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