The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five suspects before an Imo State High Court over their alleged involvement in the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other passengers in Imo State.
The suspects appeared before Justice Emeka Orafu on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, following their arrest during intelligence-led operations in Rivers and Abia states.
Three of the defendants, identified as Usman Aliyu, Babangida Aliyu and Mohammed Ali, were charged in connection with the kidnapping of the prospective corps members along the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway on October 1. According to the prosecution, the trio and other alleged accomplices abducted the victims while they were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their assigned NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
The prosecution alleged that the suspects demanded and collected ₦48 million and an undisclosed amount in US dollars as ransom for the victims’ release.
They were also accused of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, including three AK-47 rifles, four magazines, a pistol and 81 rounds of live ammunition, according to details of the charge sheet reported by Nigerian media.
The three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The other two defendants, identified in reports as Aminu Haliru and Tange Ibrahim, also known as Jijji, were arraigned over the alleged kidnapping of four other passengers on October 4.
Prosecutors accused them of conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms. They were also alleged to have collected ₦8 million in ransom for the release of the four victims. The two defendants also pleaded not guilty, the court ordered the suspects to remain in DSS custody, while the cases were adjourned for further proceedings. Reports indicate that the first hearings are scheduled to continue on October 22.
The abduction of the 20 prospective corps members sparked a security operation involving the DSS, police, military and other security agencies.
The victims and another passenger were rescued on October 7 from the Amakohia-Ubi forest in Owerri West Local Government Area. They subsequently received medical attention at the DSS hospital in Owerri.
Security operatives reportedly arrested five suspects between October 10 and 14, while three other alleged members of the group escaped with gunshot injuries, prompting a manhunt. The arraignment marks a new stage in the investigation into the abduction and the alleged ransom payments.
However, the charges remain allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.