The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five suspects before the Imo State High Court over the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and another passenger in the state on October 1, 2026.
The suspects, identified as Mohammed Ali, Usman Aliyu, Babangida Aliyu, Ibrahim Jiji and Aminu Haliru, were brought before the court following their arrest during intelligence-led security operations conducted in Rivers and Abia states between October 10 and 14.
The arraignment marks a new development in the investigation into the abduction, which raised concerns about the safety of graduates travelling across states to begin their national service.
According to reports, the prospective corps members were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their designated NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when armed men intercepted their vehicles along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway in Imo State.
The victims were subsequently held captive, prompting a coordinated search-and-rescue operation involving security agencies.
The 20 prospective corps members and another passenger regained their freedom on October 7 during a security operation at Amakohia-Ubi in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State. They were later taken to the DSS hospital in Owerri for medical attention and necessary examinations.
Security operatives subsequently intensified efforts to track down those allegedly responsible for the abduction. Five suspects were arrested during operations in Rivers and Abia states, while three other suspected members of the gang reportedly escaped with gunshot injuries.
The latest court action follows those arrests and represents another step in efforts to establish the roles of the suspects and bring anyone found culpable to justice.
The abduction also renewed concerns about the risks faced by prospective corps members travelling long distances to orientation camps, particularly when journeys involve major highways across state boundaries.
The suspects remain accused persons, and their arraignment does not amount to a finding of guilt. Their culpability will be determined through the judicial process.
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