Security Forces Nab 5 Over NYSC Members’ Kidnap

Soldiers, DSS operatives and the police yesterday arrested five suspected members of a criminal gang said to be behind the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members in Imo State.

Punch quotes a security source as describing the development as a major relief, noting that security agencies had sustained a wide-ranging manhunt for the abductors.

“This is a huge sigh of relief. Security agencies have been on a manhunt for the abductors, and we are elated that they have been captured. We strongly believe they will be charged in court by DSS and the corps members will get justice,” the newspaper quoted the source as saying.

Three other suspected members of the gang, however, escaped with gunshot injuries, prompting a massive manhunt for them.

The suspects were apprehended during a series of intelligence-led operations conducted at different locations in Rivers and Abia states. However, in the course of the operation, three other suspects escaped with varying degrees of injury.

The security sources said the operations were carried out between October 10 and 14 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State, according to Punch online.