DSS arraigns suspects over abduction of 20 corps members

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned three suspects in connection with the kidnapping of 20 prospective NYSC members before an Imo State High Court presided over by Justice Emeka Orafu.

Two other suspects were also arraigned before the court for other kidnapping incidents.

The suspects Usman Aliyu, Babangida Aliyu, and Mohammed Ali were arraigned over the kidnapping of 20 prospective NYSC members along the Owerri-Onitsha Road.

The three suspects pleaded not guilty to three counts of abduction and hostage-taking, collection of a ransom of N48 million and US dollars, as well as illegal possession of firearms.

The other two suspects, Aminu Haliru and Jiji Abraham, were charged with conspiracy, hostage-taking, and illegal possession of firearms.

They were accused of abducting Winner Ogidi, Timothy Opara, Henrietta Ogechi, and one other on October 4, 2026, but they also pleaded not guilty.

Counsel for the state, Ekezie Nwauzo, filed a motion for the suspects to remain in DSS custody, which the court, presided over by Hon. Justice Emeka Orafu, granted.

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Nnaemeka Adipuo represented the first and second defendants in the case of the abduction of the corps members, while Paschal Ofoma represented the third defendant.

The cases were adjourned to Thursday, October 22, and Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, October 27, 28, and 29, for hearing.

The suspects, arrested in intelligence-led joint operations by the DSS, Army, and Police between October 10 and 14 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Aba South, Abia State, were brought before the High Court in Owerri over the October 1 attack along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway at Umunoha in Mbaitoli LGA.

The 20 corps members, who were travelling from Ibadan to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom, were rescued on October 7 at Amakohia Ubi village.

According to security sources, three AK-47 rifles, an English pistol, and 81 rounds of ammunition were recovered, while three other gang members escaped with gunshot injuries.