Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), the military and the police have arrested five suspected members of a criminal gang allegedly responsible for the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo State on October 1, 2026.
Three other suspects reportedly escaped with gunshot injuries during intelligence-led operations, prompting security agencies to intensify efforts to track them down.
Security sources disclosed that the arrests were made during coordinated operations conducted at various locations in Rivers and Abia states between October 10 and 14.
The operations reportedly covered parts of Port Harcourt in Rivers State and Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State.
The arrests followed the abduction of 20 prospective corps members by armed men along the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway on October 1, Nigeria’s 66th Independence Day. The victims were travelling to their designated NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when they were intercepted by the suspected kidnappers.
The abducted corps members were subsequently rescued on October 7 during a joint security operation at Amakohia Ubi Village in Imo State.
The latest arrests represent a further step in efforts by security agencies to apprehend those allegedly involved in the abduction, dismantle the criminal network and bring the suspects to justice.
A security source described the arrests as a major relief, noting that security operatives had sustained a coordinated manhunt for the suspected abductors 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 the DSS and the corps members will get justice,” the source said.
Meanwhile, security agencies are continuing efforts to locate and arrest the fleeing suspects, who reportedly sustained gunshot injuries during the operations.
The agencies are expected to sustain the manhunt until all those allegedly involved in the abduction are apprehended and brought before the appropriate authorities.
