The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five suspects allegedly linked to the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and another passenger in Imo State.

The suspects were brought before the Justice Oputa State High Court in Owerri on Tuesday, October 20, following their arrest during intelligence-led operations conducted in Rivers and Abia states between October 10 and 14.

The arraignment follows a security operation launched after armed men abducted the prospective corps members along the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway on October 1, 2026.

Five Suspects Arrested in Rivers, Abia

The suspects were reportedly apprehended in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State during coordinated operations involving the DSS, military and police.

They were identified in reports as Ibrahim Jiji, Aminu Haliru, Mohammed Ali, Usman Aliyu and Babangida Aliyu.

Three other suspected members of the gang reportedly escaped during the operations with varying degrees of gunshot injuries, prompting security agencies to intensify efforts to track them down.

Authorities have not publicly disclosed detailed information about the individual roles allegedly played by each of the five defendants.

Corps Members Abducted While Travelling to Orientation Camps

The 20 prospective corps members were abducted on October 1 near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.

They were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their assigned NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when gunmen reportedly attacked vehicles conveying them and other passengers.

The incident triggered a coordinated search-and-rescue operation involving security agencies.

All 21 Victims Rescued

Security operatives rescued the 20 prospective corps members and the additional passenger on October 7 at Amakohia-Ubi village in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.

The victims were subsequently taken to the DSS hospital in Owerri for medical attention and necessary examinations.

During the search operation, the police had reported locating the kidnappers’ camp through drone surveillance but said the suspected hideout was reportedly planted with improvised explosive devices, complicating efforts to reach the captives.

The victims’ rescue was followed by a sustained manhunt for the alleged abductors, leading to the arrests announced earlier this month.

Manhunt for Fleeing Suspects Continues

The reported arraignment marks another stage in the investigation into the abduction.

Security agencies are continuing efforts to apprehend the three suspects who reportedly escaped during the operations.

The specific charges filed against the five defendants and the court’s orders following their arraignment were not detailed in the reports available at the time of publication.

The allegations against the defendants remain unproven, and the case will proceed through the judicial process.