Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), military and police have arrested five suspected members of a criminal gang allegedly responsible for the abduction of 20 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo State on October 1, 2026.
The suspects were arrested during intelligence-led operations conducted between October 10 and 14 at different locations in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State, security sources disclosed.
Three other suspects reportedly escaped during the operations with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
The 20 corps members were abducted by armed men along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway while travelling to their assigned orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states on Nigeria’s 66th Independence Day.
They were rescued on October 7 during a joint security operation at Amakohia Ubi Village in Imo State.
The arrests mark a significant breakthrough in the ongoing efforts by security agencies to track down the perpetrators, dismantle the criminal network and bring those responsible for the abduction to justice.
A security source described the development as a major relief, saying security agencies had sustained a wide-ranging manhunt for the suspects since the incident.
“This is a huge sigh of relief. Security agencies have been on a manhunt for the abductors, and we are elated that they have been captured.
“We strongly believe they will be charged to court by DSS and the corps members will get justice,” the source said.
About the Author
