By Opeyemi Adelakun
Security operatives have arrested five suspected members of a criminal gang allegedly responsible for the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo State.
The suspects were arrested during intelligence-led operations conducted between October 10 and 14 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State, according to security sources cited by Daily News Hub.
The operation involved personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS), the military and the police.
Three other suspected gang members reportedly escaped during the operations with gunshot injuries, prompting security agencies to intensify efforts to track them down.
The 20 prospective corps members were abducted by armed men along the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway on October 1 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 in Imo State.
A security source described the arrests as a major breakthrough in the investigation, saying agencies had sustained a manhunt for those allegedly involved in the abduction.
“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 arrests are expected to support ongoing efforts to identify other suspects and dismantle the criminal network allegedly linked to the abduction.
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