Precious Nwonu, Enugu
The trial of suspects accused of abducting 20 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and other passengers in Imo State is set to resume.
The suspects were arrested in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Abia State during intelligence-led operations carried out between October 10 and 14 by the Department of State Services (DSS), working with the military, police and other security agencies.
Three other suspects reportedly escaped during the operations with gunshot wounds, prompting security operatives to launch a manhunt for them.
The prospective corps members were abducted on October 1, 2026, while travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their assigned NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
The gunmen reportedly attacked two buses conveying the prospective corps members and other passengers along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
The victims were rescued on October 7 during a joint security operation at Amakohia-Ubi Village in Owerri West Local Government Area.
Following their rescue, they were taken to the DSS hospital in Owerri for medical attention and necessary examinations.
During the search-and-rescue operation, the police disclosed that their operatives had identified the kidnappers’ camp through drone surveillance but could not immediately move into the location because it was reportedly rigged with improvised explosive devices.
Security agencies subsequently intensified efforts to reach the victims and secure their release.
The arrests followed coordinated intelligence-led operations across the two states, while the search for the fleeing suspects continues.
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