The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five suspects over the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members in Imo State.
The suspects were arrested during intelligence-led operations conducted between October 10 and 14 in Rivers and Abia states, following the abduction of the graduates on October 1.
The operation reportedly involved operatives of the DSS, police and military, who raided locations in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State.
Three other suspects allegedly escaped during the operations with gunshot injuries, while security operatives are continuing efforts to apprehend them.
The 20 prospective corps members were abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road, near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, while travelling in two commercial buses operated by Uko Akwa Ibom Motors.
They were heading to Abia and Akwa Ibom states when the incident occurred. The kidnappers reportedly demanded ₦50m for each victim.
Police later announced that the victims had been rescued at Amakohia Ubi Village in Owerri West Local Government Area.
However, the victims’ families disputed the police account, insisting that ransom was paid to secure their release.
A security source had earlier disclosed that operatives recovered AK-47 rifles, an English pistol and ammunition during the operations. It was not clear whether any ransom paid for the victims’ release was recovered.
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