Five suspects accused of involvement in the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members and another passenger in Imo State have been arraigned before the Justice Oputa State High Court in Owerri.

The suspects were brought before the court following their arrest in Rivers and Abia states during intelligence-led operations conducted between October 10 and 14, 2026.

The case stems from an October 1 incident in which armed men reportedly abducted the prospective corps members and a civilian near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.

The victims were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their respective NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when the attack occurred along the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway.

Their disappearance prompted security agencies to launch coordinated efforts to locate them and arrest those suspected of carrying out the abduction.

The 20 prospective corps members and the additional victim were rescued on October 7 from the Amakohia-Ubi forest in Owerri West Local Government Area.

Following their release, they were taken to the Department of State Services hospital in Owerri for medical attention.

Investigations subsequently led security operatives to locations in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Aba, Abia State, where the five suspects were arrested.

The operations were conducted by a joint security team led by the DSS, with support from the military, police and other security personnel.

Three other suspects reportedly escaped during the operations with gunshot injuries, prompting security agencies to intensify efforts to track them down.

The arraignment represents another development in the investigation, as authorities pursue the case against the five suspects and continue searching for the remaining alleged members of the kidnapping group.

Source: Channels Television.