The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five suspects allegedly involved in the kidnapping of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo State. The suspects were brought before the State High Court in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on Tuesday.
The five suspects were arrested during intelligence-led operations conducted between October 10 and 14 in Rivers and Abia states. Specifically, the operations were carried out in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State. The arrests were executed by operatives of the DSS, the military, and the police. Three other suspected members of the gang reportedly escaped with gunshot injuries during the operations, prompting 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, during the early hours while heading to their assigned orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states. The victims were later rescued on October 7 during a joint security operation at Amakohia Ubi Village in the Owerri West local government area of Imo State.
The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, had earlier stated that no ransom was paid for the release of the corps members, adding that they were rescued following a joint security effort. However, parents of the released corps members had claimed they paid between ₦5 million and ₦6 million for each child’s release, though they later said the money was refunded.
A heavy security presence is expected at the Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Court premises off Port Harcourt Road, where the arraignment is taking place. Locals have demanded the identities of the perpetrators to establish any local collaborators in the kidnapping syndicate.