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Security operatives have arrested five suspected members of a criminal gang allegedly responsible for abducting 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members in Imo State on Nigeria’s 66th Independence Day.
Three other suspected members of the gang escaped with gunshot injuries during the operations, prompting security agencies to launch a manhunt for them.
The arrests followed intelligence-led operations conducted by operatives of the Department of State Services, the military and the police at different locations in Rivers and Abia states.
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Security sources said the operations took place between October 10 and 14 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State.
Victims rescued after six days
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 assigned orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
They were subsequently rescued on October 7 during a joint security operation at Amakohia Ubi Village.
The latest arrests represent a further development in efforts to identify and apprehend those allegedly responsible for the abduction.
Security agencies are also working to dismantle the criminal network and bring those involved to justice.
Security agencies pursue fleeing suspects
A security source described the arrests as a major relief, noting that security agencies had sustained a wide-ranging manhunt for the 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.
The three suspects who escaped with gunshot injuries remain the subject of a manhunt, according to the security sources.
The authorities have yet to disclose the identities of the arrested suspects or provide further details about their alleged roles in the abduction.
