By Divine Sam

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five suspects before the Imo State High Court over the abduction of 20 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Imo State on October 1, 2026.

The suspects, identified as Mohammed Ali, Usman Aliyu, Babangida Aliyu, Ibrahim Jiji and Aminu Haliru, were arrested during intelligence-led operations conducted between October 10 and 14 in Rivers and Abia states.

Their arraignment follows a joint security operation involving DSS operatives, soldiers and police officers, which led to the arrest of five individuals suspected of involvement in the kidnapping.

Reports indicated that other suspected members of the gang escaped during the operation with gunshot injuries, prompting security agencies to intensify efforts to locate and apprehend them.

The 20 prospective corps members were reportedly travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their designated NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when they were abducted.

The incident raised concerns about the safety of young Nigerians travelling across state boundaries to participate in the mandatory national service programme.

However, the abducted prospective corps members and another passenger were rescued on October 7 during a coordinated security operation at Amakohia-Ubi, in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.

Following their rescue, the victims were taken to the DSS hospital in Owerri for medical attention and necessary examinations.

The arraignment marks a further development in the investigation into the abduction, as security agencies continue efforts to track down other suspected members of the gang.

The suspects’ arraignment does not in itself establish guilt, which remains a matter for the court to determine through the judicial process.