The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five suspects allegedly involved in the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo State.
The five suspects were arraigned on Tuesday before an Imo State High Court presided over by Justice Emeka Orafu, following their arrest during intelligence-led operations conducted between October 10 and 14, 2026, in Rivers and Abia States.
Three of the defendants face charges bordering on abduction and hostage-taking, collection of N48 million and foreign currency as ransom, and illegal possession of firearms.
The three defendants, identified as Usman Aliyu, Babangida Aliyu and Mohammed Ali, pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge.
The other two suspects, Aminu Haliru and Jiji Ibrahim, were charged with conspiracy, hostage-taking and illegal possession of firearms.
They were accused of abducting Winner Ogidi, Opara Timothy, Ogechi Henrietta and another victim on October 4, 2026. However, they also pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Counsel to the prosecution, Ekezie Nwauzo, filed an application seeking an order to remand the suspects in DSS custody.
The court granted the application.
Nnaemeka Adipuo represented the first and second defendants in the case involving the abduction of corps members, while Paschal Ofoma appeared for the third defendant.
The cases were adjourned to October 22 and October 27, 28 and 29 for further proceedings.
It will be recalled that DSS, military and police operatives, on October 16, 2026, arrested five suspected members of a criminal gang allegedly responsible for abducting the 20 prospective members of NYSC in Imo State on October 1.
Three other suspects reportedly escaped with varying degrees of gunshot injuries during intelligence-led operations.
Security sources said the operations were carried out in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State.
The armed men intercepted their victims along the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway on Nigeria’s 66th Independence Day celebration, as they travelled to their designated orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom States.
The victims were, however, rescued on October 7 during a joint security operation at Amakohia Ubi Village in Imo State.
A security source described the arrests as a major breakthrough, saying security agencies had sustained a manhunt for the suspected abductors since the incident.
“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 to court by DSS and the corps members will get justice,” the source said.
The source expressed confidence that the arrests would advance efforts to prosecute those allegedly involved in the abduction and ensure justice for the victims.
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