DSS arraigns five over abduction of corps members in Imo
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five suspects over the abduction of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other victims along the Owerri–Onitsha Road in Imo State.
Three of the defendants, Usman Aliyu, Babangida Aliyu and Mohammed Ali, face three counts bordering on abduction and hostage-taking, the collection of ₦48 million and foreign currency as ransom, and illegal possession of firearms.
They pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The other two defendants, Aminu Haliru and Jiji Ibrahim, were charged with conspiracy, hostage-taking and illegal possession of firearms.
The defendants were also accused of abducting Winner Ogidi, Opara Timothy, Ogechi Henrietta and another person on October 4, 2026. They also pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
The prosecution counsel, Ekezie Nwauzo, filed a motion seeking the continued detention of the defendants in DSS custody. Justice Emeka Orafu granted the application.
Nnaemeka Adipuo represented the first and second defendants in the case involving the abduction of corps members, while Paschal Ofoma appeared for the third defendant.
The cases were adjourned to October 22 and October 27, 28 and 29 for hearing.
Speaking to journalists after the proceedings, defence counsel Adipuo and Ofoma stressed that the defendants were presumed innocent until proven guilty.
About 20 corps members were reportedly abducted on October 1 while travelling along the Owerri–Onitsha Road to NYSC orientation camps in Akwa Ibom and Abia states.
Nkereuwem Effiong
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five suspects over the abduction of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other victims along the Owerri–Onitsha Road in Imo State.
Three of the defendants, Usman Aliyu, Babangida Aliyu and Mohammed Ali, face three counts bordering on abduction and hostage-taking, the collection of ₦48 million and foreign currency as ransom, and illegal possession of firearms.
They pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The other two defendants, Aminu Haliru and Jiji Ibrahim, were charged with conspiracy, hostage-taking and illegal possession of firearms.
The defendants were also accused of abducting Winner Ogidi, Opara Timothy, Ogechi Henrietta and another person on October 4, 2026.
They also pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
The prosecution counsel, Ekezie Nwauzo, filed a motion seeking the continued detention of the defendants in DSS custody. Justice Emeka Orafu granted the application.
Nnaemeka Adipuo represented the first and second defendants in the case involving the abduction of corps members, while Paschal Ofoma appeared for the third defendant.
The cases were adjourned to October 22 and October 27, 28 and 29 for hearing.
Speaking to journalists after the proceedings, defence counsel Adipuo and Ofoma stressed that the defendants were presumed innocent until proven guilty.
About 20 corps members were reportedly abducted on October 1 while travelling along the Owerri–Onitsha Road to NYSC orientation camps in Akwa Ibom and Abia states.
They were released after about six days in captivity and subsequently reunited with their families.
