DSS Arraigns Five Suspects Over Kidnap of 20 Prospective NYSC Members in Imo State

 

Owerri, Imo State — The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, arraigned five suspects allegedly linked to the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and one civilian in Imo State.[](<https://www.channelstv.com/2026/10/20/dss-arraigns-five-suspects-over-kidnap-of-20-corps-members-others-in-imo/>)

The suspects were brought before the Justice Oputa State High Court in Owerri, the state capital. According to reports citing NTA News, they have been identified as Ibrahim Jiji, Aminu Haliru, Mohammed Ali, Usman Aliyu, and Babangida Aliyu.[](<https://punchng.com/breaking-dss-arraigns-five-suspects-over-abduction-of-20-corps-members-in-imo/>)

The case stems from an incident on October 1, 2026, when gunmen abducted the group near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area along the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway. The victims, who were travelling in commercial buses from Ibadan in Oyo State to their assigned NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states, were intercepted by the armed men.[](<https://www.channelstv.com/2026/10/20/dss-arraigns-five-suspects-over-kidnap-of-20-corps-members-others-in-imo/>)

A coordinated security operation led to the rescue of the 20 prospective corps members and the civilian on October 7, 2026, from the Amakohia-Ubi forest (also referred to as Amakohia Ubi Village) in Owerri West Local Government Area. The victims were taken to the DSS hospital in Owerri for medical attention.[](<https://www.channelstv.com/2026/10/20/dss-arraigns-five-suspects-over-kidnap-of-20-corps-members-others-in-imo/>)

Following the rescue, security operatives intensified efforts to track the perpetrators. Between October 10 and 14, 2026, a joint team involving the DSS, military, and police conducted intelligence-led operations in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Aba (specifically Aba South Local Government Area) in Abia State. These operations resulted in the arrest of the five suspects now facing court. Three other suspected gang members reportedly escaped during the encounters with gunshot injuries, and a manhunt for them continues.[](<https://punchng.com/breaking-dss-arraigns-five-suspects-over-abduction-of-20-corps-members-in-imo/>)

Security sources have described the arrests and subsequent arraignment as a significant breakthrough in dismantling the criminal network responsible for the abduction. One source told reporters it represented “a huge sigh of relief” after sustained efforts to apprehend those involved.[](<https://punchng.com/breaking-dss-arraigns-five-suspects-over-abduction-of-20-corps-members-in-imo/>)

The specific charges against the five suspects have not been detailed in initial reports. The DSS has not issued a full public statement elaborating further at the time of writing.

The development was first widely reported on social media platforms, including a post by the account @NigeriaStories that shared images of a group of young people (believed to be the rescued victims) seated in a waiting room and a photograph of the Lady Justice statue outside a court complex in Owerri. Some online reactions noted the focus on images of the victims rather than the suspects.

This case highlights ongoing security challenges along major highways in the South-East, particularly for travellers heading to NYSC orientation camps. Authorities have indicated that investigations remain active regarding the escaped suspects and the broader network.