DSS Arraigns Five Suspects Over Abduction Of 20 Corps 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 and a civilian in Imo State.

The victims were abducted on October 1, 2026, near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state. They were later rescued on October 7 during a joint security operation at Amakohia Ubi Village.

The five suspects were reportedly arraigned on Tuesday before the Justice Oputa State High Court in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

According to a report by NTA News on its Facebook page, the suspects are Ibrahim Jiji, Aminu Haliru, Mohammed Ali, Usman Aliyu and Babangida Aliyu.

The suspects were arrested during a series of intelligence-led operations conducted at different locations in Rivers and Abia states between October 10 and 14.

Security sources disclosed that the operations took place in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State. Three other suspects reportedly escaped during the operations, sustaining varying degrees of injuries.

The arrests represent a significant development in efforts by security agencies to track down those allegedly responsible for the abduction, dismantle the criminal network and bring the perpetrators to justice.

A security source described the arrests as a major relief, noting that security agencies had sustained a manhunt for the suspected abductors.

“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.