The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five suspects over the abduction of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members along the Owerri-Onitsha road. Three defendants—Usman Aliyu, Babangida Aliyu and Mohammed Ali—were charged with abduction and hostage-taking, collecting ₦48 million and foreign currency as ransom, and illegal possession of firearms.
The other two defendants, Aminu Alihu and Dangi Abraham, were charged with conspiracy, hostage-taking and illegal possession of firearms. Prosecutors also accused the suspects of involvement in the kidnapping of corps members travelling to their NYSC orientation camps.
The court heard that some of the victims, including Winner Ogidi, Opara Timothy and Ogechi Henrietta, were among those allegedly abducted on October 4, 2026. The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
The court granted the prosecution’s request to keep the defendants in DSS custody as proceedings continue. The corps members were reportedly abducted while travelling to orientation camps in Akwa Ibom and Abia states and were later released after about six days in captivity. The suspects remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty by the court.
