RismadarVoice Reporters
October 20, 2026
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five suspects over their alleged involvement in the abduction of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members along the Owerri–Onitsha road.
The defendants are facing charges relating to kidnapping, hostage-taking, alleged collection of ransom and unlawful possession of firearms.
Three of the accused, identified as Usman Aliyu, Babangida Aliyu and Mohammed Ali, were arraigned on a three-count charge involving the alleged abduction of travellers, collection of ₦48 million and an unspecified amount in foreign currency as ransom, and illegal possession of firearms.
All three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.
In a separate proceeding, two other suspects, Aminu Alihu and Dangi Abraham, were charged with conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms.
The prosecution alleged that the two defendants participated in the abduction of Winner Ogidi, Opara Timothy, Ogechi Henrietta and another individual on October 4, 2026.
Both defendants also pleaded not guilty.
During the proceedings, prosecution counsel Ekezie Nwauzo applied for an order permitting the DSS to retain custody of the defendants pending further hearings.
The presiding judge, Justice Emeka Orafu, granted the application.
Nnaemeka Adipuo appeared for the first and second defendants in the case involving the corps members, while Paschal Ofoma represented the third defendant.
The court subsequently fixed October 22, 27, 28 and 29, 2026, for further proceedings in the cases.
The arraignments followed reports of the abduction of approximately 20 NYSC members on October 1 while travelling along the Owerri–Onitsha road to orientation camps in Akwa Ibom and Abia states.
The corps members were reportedly held for about six days before regaining their freedom and reuniting with their families.
The incident raised concerns about the safety of prospective corps members travelling to their places of national service, particularly along highways affected by kidnapping and other security threats.
Speaking after the court proceedings, defence lawyers Adipuo and Ofoma emphasised that their clients remained innocent under the law until the prosecution established the allegations against them.
The DSS is expected to continue presenting its case when proceedings resume on the scheduled dates.
The defendants remain in custody pursuant to the court’s order, while the allegations against them await judicial determination.
