DSS arraigns 5 suspects over abduction of 20 prospective Corps Members in Imo

The Department of State Services (DSS) has charged five suspected members of a gang who are said to be behind the abduction of 20 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) prospective members in Imo State.

These suspects have been arrested through intelligence-led operations carried out by DSS agents, the military, and the police in Rivers and Abia States between October 10th and 14th, 2026.

The operations 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. Security operatives are said to have launched a manhunt to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

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 designated NYSC 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.

Further details about the arraignment, including the charges against the five suspects and the court where they were presented, were not immediately available.