OWERRI — The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five suspects before a magistrate court in Owerri over their alleged involvement in the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and a civilian driver in Imo State.
The suspects were apprehended during joint intelligence-driven security operations conducted between October 10 and October 14 across criminal hideouts in Rivers and Abia states by operatives of the DSS, the Nigerian military, and the Nigeria Police Force.
Security agencies revealed that three other fleeing members of the syndicate sustained gunshot injuries during the raids in Port Harcourt and Aba South Local Government Area, prompting ongoing manhunts to track down remaining gang members.
The victims, who were abducted while traveling in a commercial bus along a transit corridor in Imo State, were rescued during coordinated forest operations prior to the arrests.
Court officials confirmed that the five defendants face a multi-count charge including conspiracy, armed kidnapping, treasonable felony, and possession of illegal firearms. The presiding judge remanded the suspects in custody pending formal judicial proceedings, with security agencies assuring the public that justice will be fully served.
