The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five suspected members of a criminal gang accused of abducting 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members along the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway in Imo State.
The suspects were arrested during intelligence-led operations involving the DSS, military and police in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State, between October 10 and 14.
The 20 prospective corps members were abducted by armed men on October 1, 2026, while travelling to their assigned orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
They were rescued on October 7 during a joint security operation at Amakohia Ubi Village in Imo State.
Reports said three other suspected members of the gang escaped during the security operations with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
Security operatives have reportedly intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspects.
The arraignment marks a step in the investigation into the abduction, which targeted prospective corps members travelling to begin their national service.
- DSS arraigns five over abduction of 20 corps members in Imo - October 20, 2026
- Three ISWAP fighters’ relatives flee enclave, surrender to troops in Borno - October 20, 2026
- US jails Nigerian eight years for $10.8m hacking, fraud schemes - October 20, 2026
