DSS Arraigns Five Suspects Over Kidnap Of 20 Corps Members, Others In Imo

DSS Arraigns Five Suspects Over Kidnap of 20 Corps Members, Others in Imo The Department of State Services DSS has arraigned five suspects before the Imo State High Court over the alleged abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps NYSC members and four other persons in Imo State. The suspects were brought before the court on Tuesday to face charges bordering on conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms in connection with two separate kidnapping incidents. The arraignment followed intelligence-led security operations conducted between October 10 and 14 in Rivers and Abia states, during which the five suspects were arrested. Three other suspects reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds, prompting a manhunt for the fleeing individuals. Three of the defendants — 25-year-old Usman Aliyu, also known as Chonge; 21-year-old Babangida Aliyu; and 23-year-old Mohammed Ali, alias Smallie Pepper — are accused of participating in the abduction of 20 prospective corps members on October 1, Nigeria’s Independence Day. According to the prosecution, the victims were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their assigned NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when gunmen attacked their buses along the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State. The defendants and other suspects still at large allegedly conspired to abduct the travellers and hold them hostage. The prosecution also accused the trio of unlawfully possessing three AK-47 rifles, four magazines, a pistol and 81 rounds of live ammunition. The charges include conspiracy to commit hostage-taking under Section 6 of the Imo State Prohibition of Hostage Taking and Related Offences Law No. 4 of 2009. The remaining defendants, 27-year-old Aminu Haliru and 20-year-old Tange Ibrahim, also known as Jijji, were arraigned over the alleged abduction of four persons around Owerri and Mgbidi on October 4. Prosecutors alleged that the two men, alongside other suspects who remain at large, collected ₦8 million as ransom for the victims’ release. They were also accused of unlawfully possessing an AK-47 rifle and a pump-action gun. The cases are being prosecuted separately, although they are linked to investigations into kidnapping activities in the state. The 20 prospective corps members were rescued on October 7 following a joint security operation at Amakohia-Ubi in Owerri West Local Government Area. The operation involved the DSS, military personnel, police officers and other security operatives. The victims were subsequently taken to the DSS hospital in Owerri for medical attention and necessary checks. Their abduction had prompted an extensive search operation and raised concerns about the safety of travellers along the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway. Reports surrounding the incident also indicated that the kidnappers had made ransom demands to the victims’ families. The five suspects were arrested during coordinated operations in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Aba, Abia State, between October 10 and 14. The operations were led by the DSS in collaboration with the military, police and other security personnel. Three other suspects reportedly escaped during the operations with varying degrees of gunshot injuries. Security agencies have continued efforts to track down the fleeing suspects and identify other individuals who may have participated in the crimes. The arrests followed sustained investigations after the rescue of the abducted travellers. Following the arraignment, the court adjourned the trial until Thursday, October 22, 2026, according to Channels Television’s report on the proceedings. The prosecution is expected to present evidence to establish the allegations against the defendants as the cases proceed. The arraignment marks another stage in the investigation into the abduction of the prospective corps members and the separate kidnapping incident involving four other victims. Security agencies have continued efforts to dismantle the suspected kidnapping network and bring other alleged participants before the courts.