Five suspected members of the gang behind the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo State have been arrested in joint security operations across Rivers and Abia states.
Three other suspects reportedly escaped into the bush with gunshot wounds during the operations conducted by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), the police and the military.
The suspects were arrested at different locations in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State between October 10 and 14, 2026.
Security sources disclosed that the operations were intelligence-led, adding that efforts were ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects, who were injured during encounters with security operatives.
“Five among those responsible for the abduction of the graduates have been arrested in a joint operation carried out by operatives of the DSS, police and the Army.
“Three of them escaped into the bush with gunshot injuries sustained during the encounter with security operatives, and efforts are ongoing to arrest them,” a source said.
The security operatives reportedly recovered AK-47 rifles, an English pistol and rounds of ammunition from the suspects.
However, the authorities have yet to disclose whether the ransom allegedly paid to secure the victims’ release was recovered.
The 20 prospective corps members were abducted on October 1, Nigeria’s Independence Day, along the Owerri-Onitsha Road near Umunoha in the Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
The victims were travelling in two commercial buses operated by Uko Akwa Ibom Motors and were heading to Abia and Akwa Ibom states when the kidnappers struck.
The gang reportedly demanded N50 million for each victim, triggering fears among their families over their safety.
The police last Wednesday announced that the abducted graduates had been rescued at Amakohia Ubi Village in the Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.
However, the announcement sparked controversy, as the victims’ families disputed the police account, insisting that ransom was paid to secure their freedom.
The arrest of the five suspects is expected to provide further leads in the investigation and the manhunt for the fleeing gang members.
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