By Jelili Gbadamosi
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five suspected members of a criminal gang accused of abducting 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo State.
The suspects Mohammed Ali, Usman Aliyu, Babangida Aliyu, Ibrahim Jiji and Aminu Haliru — were brought before the Imo State High Court in connection with the October 1, 2026, abduction.
The DSS said the suspects were arrested during intelligence-led operations conducted between October 10 and 14 in Rivers and Abia states.
The development followed a coordinated security operation involving DSS operatives, soldiers and police officers, which led to the arrest of the five suspects.
Other alleged members of the gang reportedly escaped with gunshot injuries during the operation, prompting security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend them.
The 20 prospective corps members were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their designated NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when they were abducted.
They were later rescued alongside another passenger on October 7 during a security operation at Amakohia-Ubi in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.
Following their rescue, the victims were taken to the DSS hospital in Owerri for medical examination and treatment.
The incident had raised concerns over the safety of prospective corps members travelling across states for the compulsory national service programme.
