Security operatives have arrested five suspected kidnappers linked to the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo State on October 1, 2026.

The arrests followed intelligence-driven operations conducted by the Department of State Services (DSS), the military and the police in parts of Rivers and Abia states between October 10 and 14.

According to security sources, the operations took place in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State.

Three other suspects reportedly escaped during the raids with gunshot wounds sustained in encounters with security personnel. Authorities are continuing efforts to track them down.

A security source confirmed the arrests to Saturday PUNCH, disclosing that operatives recovered AK-47 rifles, an English pistol and ammunition from the suspects.

The 20 graduates were kidnapped while travelling in two commercial buses operated by Uko Akwa Ibom Motors along the Owerri-Onitsha Road, near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.

They were reportedly travelling to Abia and Akwa Ibom states when the kidnappers intercepted them and demanded a ransom of N50 million per victim.

The Imo State Police Command announced last Wednesday that the victims had been rescued at Amakohia Ubi Village in Owerri West Local Government Area.

However, the circumstances surrounding their release remain disputed, as the victims’ families rejected the police account, claiming that a ransom was paid to secure their freedom.