The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five suspects over their alleged involvement in 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 on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, following their arrest during intelligence-led operations in Rivers and Abia states between October 10 and 14.
The suspects were identified as Ibrahim Jiji, Aminu Haliru, Mohammed Ali, Usman Aliyu and Babangida Aliyu.
According to reports on the court proceedings, three of the defendants were charged in connection with the abduction of the prospective corps members, while two others faced separate allegations involving the kidnapping of other victims.
The charges reportedly include abduction, hostage-taking, conspiracy, illegal possession of firearms and the collection of ransom.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. The prosecution subsequently sought an order for their continued detention in DSS custody, which the court granted.
The cases were adjourned to later dates for further proceedings.
The arraignment followed the abduction of 20 prospective corps members and other passengers along the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway on October 1, 2026.
The victims were reportedly travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their respective NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when gunmen intercepted their vehicles near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
They regained their freedom on October 7 following a joint security operation at Amakohia-Ubi Village in Owerri West Local Government Area.
Security operatives subsequently intensified efforts to track down those suspected of involvement in the incident, leading to the arrests in Rivers and Abia states. Three other suspects reportedly escaped during the operations with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
The arraignment marks a further step in efforts to prosecute those allegedly responsible for the abduction, while security agencies continue efforts to apprehend other suspects reportedly linked to the incident.
The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
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