DSS Arraigns Five Suspects Over Abduction of 20 NYSC Members in Imo

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five suspected members of a criminal gang allegedly involved in the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo State.

The suspects were arrested during intelligence-led operations conducted by security operatives from the DSS, military and police between October 10 and 14 in Rivers and Abia states.

The operations reportedly took place 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 launch a manhunt for them.

The 20 prospective corps members were abducted by armed men along the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway in Imo State on October 1, 2026, while travelling to their assigned NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.

They were subsequently rescued on October 7 during a joint security operation at Amakohia-Ubi Village in Imo State.

The arrest and arraignment of the five suspects mark a significant development in the investigation into the abduction, as authorities move to prosecute those allegedly connected to the crime.

Further details of the charges against the suspects and the outcome of the court proceedings were not provided in the report.