DSS, Military, Police Arrest Five Over Abduction Of 20 Corps Members

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), the military and the police have arrested five suspected members of a criminal gang linked to the abduction of 20 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo State.

The security agencies arrested the suspects during intelligence-led operations in Rivers and Abia states between October 10 and 14. Three other suspects reportedly escaped with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.

Security sources said the operations took place in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State.

Armed men abducted the 20 corps members on October 1, Nigeria’s Independence Day, along the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway. The victims were travelling to their assigned orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when the attackers struck.

A joint security operation rescued the corps members on October 7 at Amakohia Ubi village in Imo State.

The latest arrests represent a breakthrough in the ongoing efforts to track down those behind the abduction, dismantle their criminal network and prosecute the suspects.

A security source described the arrests as a major relief after days of intensive efforts to apprehend the alleged 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,” the source said.

The source expressed confidence that the suspects would face prosecution and that the victims would get justice.

“We strongly believe they will be charged to court by DSS and the corps members will get justice,” the source added.