RismadarVoice Reporters
October 22, 2026
An Imo State High Court has commenced proceedings in the case involving the alleged kidnapping of 20 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who were abducted while travelling to their orientation camps earlier this month.
The case, before Justice Emeka Orafu, involves three defendants identified as Usman Aliyu, also known as Chonge; Babangida Aliyu; and Mohammed Ali, popularly called Smallie Pepper.
The defendants are facing charges bordering on conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms in connection with the October 1, 2026, incident.
The three men had pleaded not guilty when they were arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) on October 20.
According to an account of the latest proceedings, a DSS investigator, Ikechukwu Emmanuel, testified as the first prosecution witness, providing details of the circumstances surrounding the abduction and subsequent investigation.
The witness reportedly told the court that the attack occurred at approximately 6:30 a.m. on October 1, when armed men intercepted two buses transporting prospective corps members from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
The incident occurred along the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway in Imo State.
Twenty prospective corps members were taken into captivity after the attackers allegedly forced them from the vehicles and moved them into a nearby forest.
According to the witness’s account, security agencies, including the DSS, launched coordinated intelligence and operational efforts to locate the victims and identify those responsible.
The prospective corps members regained their freedom on October 7 and were subsequently reunited with their families.
The prosecution alleged that the defendants and other persons still at large demanded and collected ₦48 million and an undisclosed amount in foreign currency in connection with the abduction.
Investigations later led security operatives to Rivers and Abia states, where suspects were arrested between October 10 and 14.
The prosecution also alleged that the suspects possessed firearms, including AK-47 rifles, during the kidnapping operation.
In a separate case arising from another alleged kidnapping in Imo State, two additional defendants were arraigned over the abduction of four people on October 4.
All five defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.
Justice Orafu ordered that the accused persons remain in DSS custody pending further proceedings.
The matters were listed for hearings on October 22, 27, 28 and 29, 2026.
The proceedings are expected to include further prosecution evidence and cross-examination by defence counsel.
The defendants remain presumed innocent unless and until the allegations against them are established beyond reasonable doubt by the court.
