The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five suspects over the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other victims in Imo State.
Gatekeepers News reports that the suspects were brought before the Justice Oputa State High Court in Owerri on Tuesday following their arrest during intelligence-led operations in Rivers and Abia states between October 10 and 14.
According to reports, the suspects are Mohammed Ali, Usman Aliyu, Babangida Aliyu, Ibrahim Jiji and Aminu Haliru.
Three of the defendants, Usman Aliyu, 25, also known as Chonge; Babangida Aliyu, 21; and Mohammed Ali, 23, also known as Smallie Pepper, were specifically charged over the abduction of the prospective corps members.
The trio allegedly abducted the victims on October 1 when gunmen attacked two 18-seater buses conveying passengers from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
The attack occurred near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, at about 6:30am.
The defendants are facing charges bordering on conspiracy to commit hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms. According to the charge sheet, they allegedly demanded and collected ₦48 million and an undisclosed amount in US dollars for the release of the victims.
They were also accused of unlawfully possessing three AK-47 rifles, four magazines, a pistol and 81 rounds of live ammunition.
The other two defendants, Aminu Haliru, 27, and Tange Ibrahim, 20, also known as Jijji, were arraigned over the alleged abduction of four persons around Owerri and Mgbidi on October 4.
The prosecution alleged that the duo and other suspects still at large collected ₦8 million for the release of the four victims. They were also accused of unlawfully possessing an AK-47 rifle and a pump-action gun.
The 20 prospective corps members and a civilian abducted on October 1 were rescued on October 7 from the Amakohia-Ubi forest in Owerri West Local Government Area following a joint operation involving the DSS, military and police. The victims subsequently received medical attention.
Security operatives reportedly arrested the five suspects in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Aba, Abia State. Three other suspected members of the gang escaped during the operations with gunshot wounds, prompting a manhunt.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. The presiding judge, Justice Emeka Orafu, adjourned the cases until October 22, 2026, for further proceedings.
The prosecution is expected to present evidence to establish the allegations against the defendants, who remain presumed innocent until proven guilty by the court.
