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 members in Imo State on Nigeria’s 66th Independence Day.
Three other suspected gang members reportedly escaped with gunshot injuries during the operations, prompting security agencies to launch a manhunt for them.
The arrests were made during a series of intelligence-led operations conducted at different locations in Rivers and Abia states, according to security sources.
The sources disclosed that the operations took place between October 10 and 14 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State.
The Telegraph reports that 20 prospective NYSC members were abducted by armed men along the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway in Imo State on October 1, 2026, while travelling to their assigned orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
The victims were rescued on October 7 during a joint security operation at Amakohia Ubi Village in Imo State.
The latest arrests mark a significant development in efforts to track down those allegedly involved in the abduction, dismantle the criminal network and bring the perpetrators to justice.
A security source described the arrests as a major relief, noting that security agencies had sustained an extensive 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 in court by DSS and the corps members will get justice,” the source said.
Meanwhile, security operatives are continuing efforts to locate and apprehend the three suspects who reportedly escaped with gunshot injuries.
