DSS Arraigns Five Suspects Over Abduction Of 20 NYSC Prospective Corps Members In Imo

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five suspects before the Justice Oputa State High Court in Owerri, Imo State, over the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and a civilian.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the suspects were brought before the court following security operations in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Aba, Abia State, which reportedly led to their arrests between October 10 and 14, 2026.

The arrests followed the rescue of all 21 victims, who were abducted while travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their respective NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.

The incident occurred on October 1, 2026, when gunmen reportedly intercepted the travellers near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area, along the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway.

Following the abduction, security agencies launched operations to locate the victims and apprehend those suspected of involvement in the crime.

The captives were eventually traced to a forest in Amakohia-Ubi, Owerri West Local Government Area, where security personnel rescued them on October 7.

After their rescue, the victims were taken to the DSS hospital in Owerri for medical attention.

Subsequent intelligence gathering reportedly led a DSS-led team, comprising military personnel, police officers and other security operatives, to locations in Rivers and Abia states, where the five suspects were apprehended.

Three other suspects allegedly escaped during the operations with gunshot wounds, according to the account of the security operation.

Security agencies are continuing efforts to track down the fleeing suspects and identify other individuals suspected of belonging to the kidnapping syndicate.

The arraignment marks a further development in the investigation into the abduction, which disrupted the journey of the prospective corps members to their assigned orientation camps.

The five defendants are expected to face the court as the legal process proceeds, while security agencies continue efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects.