RismadarVoice Reporters
October 23, 2026
A Department of State Services (DSS) operative has told an Imo State High Court how investigators identified three men accused of kidnapping 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members travelling to their orientation camps.
The witness, Ikem Emmanuel, testified on Thursday, October 22, before Justice Emeka Orafu, explaining that intelligence gathering, data analysis, interviews and an identification parade formed part of the investigation.
The defendants, Usman Aliyu, also known as Chonge; Babangida Aliyu; and Mohammed Ali, popularly called Smallie Pepper, are facing charges relating to conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms.
According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on October 1, 2026, when armed men intercepted two buses conveying prospective corps members from Ibadan to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
The victims were reportedly abducted along the Owerri–Mgbidi–Onitsha Expressway and taken into captivity.
Emmanuel told the court that DSS operatives subsequently launched investigations involving intelligence analysis, interviews with witnesses and examination of relevant records.
He said the investigation led to the arrest of the defendants, who were later presented for identification alongside other individuals.
According to the witness, some of the abducted prospective corps members and witnesses identified the accused men during the exercise.
Emmanuel further testified that Usman Aliyu allegedly admitted in a statement to participating in the operation and disclosed that 11 individuals were involved.
He maintained that statements obtained from the defendants were recorded in the presence of their lawyers and DSS legal officers.
The prosecution also alleged that the kidnappers demanded and collected ₦48 million and an unspecified amount in foreign currency for the release of the victims.
The three defendants had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Meanwhile, two other defendants are facing proceedings before the same court over a separate kidnapping incident involving four victims.
Justice Orafu directed that the cases proceed without unnecessary delays and fixed October 27, 28, 29 and 30 for further hearings.
The judge urged prosecution and defence counsel to cooperate with the court, expressing his intention to ensure that the trials are concluded before January 2027.
He also ordered that the five defendants remain in DSS custody pending further proceedings.
The allegations against the defendants remain subject to judicial determination, and all accused persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
