By Chucks Nwonye
OWERRI – The joint security operation targeting the gang responsible for the abduction of 20 National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members in Imo State has recorded a major breakthrough with the arrest of five suspected members of the criminal syndicate.
The suspects were apprehended by operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, the Military and the Nigeria Police Force during intelligence-led operations carried out in Rivers and Abia States between October 10 and 14, 2026.
A security statement made available on Friday said three other suspects escaped during the operation with varying degrees of injuries and are currently being trailed by security agencies.
It will be recalled that the corps members were abducted along the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway on October 1, 2026, while traveling to their destination, an incident that sparked nationwide outrage and concern over the safety of young graduates serving the nation.
The victims were, however, rescued on October 7, 2026, during a coordinated joint operation by the DSS, Military and Police at Amakohia Ubi, a community in Imo State believed to be a hideout for the kidnappers.
Sources within the security agencies disclosed that the latest arrests were made possible through credible intelligence gathered from the rescued corps members and from technical tracking of the gang’s communication channels.
According to security agencies, the arrest marks a significant breakthrough in efforts to dismantle the criminal network operating along the Owerri-Onitsha axis and to bring all perpetrators to justice.
They assured that investigations are ongoing and that the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of preliminary investigations.
The agencies also reiterated their commitment to ensuring the safety of citizens, particularly NYSC members who are deployed to various parts of the country for national service.
The NYSC management has yet to officially react to the arrests, but parents and guardians of the rescued corps members have commended the security forces for their swift action.
There have been calls for improved security along major highways, especially during festive periods when movement of corps members is high, to prevent a recurrence of such abductions.
The security agencies appealed to members of the public to provide useful information that could lead to the arrest of the fleeing suspects and other criminal elements terrorizing the South-East region.