DSS Arraigns Five Suspects Over Abduction of 20 Corps Members in Imo

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five suspects allegedly linked to the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other victims in Imo State.

The suspects were brought before the Justice Oputa State High Court in Owerri following their arrest during intelligence-led operations in Rivers and Abia states between October 10 and 14, 2026.

The arraignment marks a major development in the investigation into the October 1 abduction, which sparked a security operation to locate the victims and arrest those responsible.

According to reports by Channels Television and Vanguard, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them. The prosecution is expected to proceed with the case as the court considers the allegations.

How the NYSC members were abducted

The incident occurred in the early hours of October 1, 2026, along the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.

The prospective corps members were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their assigned NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when gunmen attacked two 18-seater buses conveying the passengers.

The attackers reportedly took the victims into the bush, triggering an intensive search by security agencies.

The abduction raised concerns about the safety of young Nigerians travelling to orientation camps and renewed attention to security challenges along major roads in the South-East.

Imo State Police spokesperson Henry Okoye had earlier said that 10 victims were rescued immediately after the attack, while search-and-rescue operations continued for those still missing.

The kidnappers reportedly demanded ransom from the victims’ families. Subsequent reports also raised questions about payments allegedly made by some relatives during the period of captivity.

Victims rescued after six days in captivity

On October 7, joint security operatives rescued the 20 prospective corps members and a civilian from the Amakohia-Ubi forest in Imo State.

The operation involved security agencies working to locate the victims and secure their release. Following the rescue, the victims received medical attention at the DSS hospital in Owerri.

Although the rescue brought relief to the victims and their families, security operatives continued efforts to identify and apprehend those suspected of participating in the abduction.

The subsequent arrests in Rivers and Abia states formed part of those efforts to track down the suspected members of the criminal network.

Five suspects face charges

The five suspects were arrested during intelligence-led operations conducted between October 10 and 14 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Aba, Abia State.

Reports identified three of the defendants as Usman Aliyu, also known as Chonge; Babangida Aliyu; and Mohammed Ali, also known as Smallie Pepper.

The three were accused of involvement in the abduction of the prospective corps members. The charges reported against them include conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms.

Two other suspects, identified as Aminu Haliru and Jiji Ibrahim, were also arraigned in connection with separate allegations involving abduction, conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms.

The defendants pleaded not guilty, according to reports from the court proceedings. Their pleas mean that the allegations remain to be tested through the judicial process.

Alleged ransom payments under scrutiny

The case has also drawn attention to allegations surrounding ransom demands during the victims’ captivity.

According to Channels Television’s report on the court proceedings, the charge sheet alleged that three of the suspects demanded and collected ₦48 million and an undisclosed amount in US dollars in connection with the release of victims.

Separately, the mother of one of the rescued corps members had told News Central Television that her family paid ₦6 million to secure her son’s release. She and her husband later said the money contributed by their family towards the ransom had been returned.

These accounts concern allegations and reported statements; they do not, by themselves, establish the guilt of any defendant. The court will have to consider the evidence presented by the prosecution and any responses from the defence.

Security agencies continue search for fleeing suspects

Three other suspects reportedly escaped during the security operations, with varying degrees of gunshot wounds. A manhunt was subsequently launched to apprehend them and other suspected members of the group who remain at large.

The arrests followed cooperation between the DSS, military personnel, police and other security operatives.

The prosecution of the five defendants represents another step in the effort to investigate the abduction and establish individual responsibility through the courts.

The case also highlights the continuing challenge of protecting travellers on major highways and preventing kidnapping incidents that place passengers and their families under severe pressure.

As proceedings continue, the court will determine the charges based on the evidence and applicable law.

The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Source: Arise News, Channels Television and Vanguard, reporting on the DSS arraignment and the investigation into the Imo abduction.