Joint security operatives comprising personnel 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.
The arrests followed intelligence-led operations conducted at different locations in Rivers and Abia states between October 10 and 14.
Security sources disclosed that the suspects were apprehended in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State.
Three other suspected members of the gang reportedly escaped during the operations with varying degrees of gunshot injuries, prompting security agencies to intensify efforts to track them down.
The development comes after armed men abducted 20 prospective corps members along the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway in Imo State on October 1, 2026, while they were travelling to their designated 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 represent a step forward in efforts by security agencies to identify and apprehend 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, citing the sustained efforts by security agencies to track down the suspects.
“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, the manhunt for the three fleeing suspects is ongoing, according to the security sources.