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 abducting 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo State on Nigeria’s 66th Independence Day.
Three other suspected gang members reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds, triggering an intensified manhunt to track them down.
The arrests followed a series of intelligence-driven operations conducted at various locations in Rivers and Abia states. Security 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.
NEWSCLICKNG Online reports that the 20 NYSC members were abducted by armed men along the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway in Imo State on October 1, 2026, while travelling to their designated orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
The victims were later rescued on October 7, 2026, during a joint security operation at Amakohia Ubi Village.
The latest operations represent a major breakthrough in efforts to apprehend those behind the abduction, dismantle the criminal network allegedly involved and ensure that the perpetrators face justice.
A security source described the arrests as a significant relief, explaining that security agencies had maintained an extensive manhunt for the abductors.
“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.
