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 in Imo State.
Three of the suspects, identified as Usman Aliyu, Babangida Aliyu and Mohammed Ali, were charged with abduction and hostage-taking, collecting a ransom of ₦48 million and foreign currency, and illegal possession of firearms.
The three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.
The other two suspects, Aminu Haliru and Jiji Ibrahim, were charged with conspiracy, hostage-taking and illegal possession of firearms.
They were accused of abducting Winner Ogidi, Opara Timothy, Ogechi Henrietta and another person on October 4, 2026. They also pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During the court proceedings, the prosecution counsel, Ekezie Nwauzo, filed an application requesting that the defendants remain in DSS custody pending further proceedings.
The application was granted by the presiding judge, Justice Emeka Orafu.
Nnaemeka Adipuo represented the first and second defendants in the case involving the abduction of the corps members, while Paschal Ofoma appeared for the third defendant.
The court adjourned the cases to October 22 and October 27, 28 and 29 for further hearings.
Recall that about 20 NYSC members were reportedly abducted on October 1 while travelling along the Owerri-Onitsha Road to orientation camps in Akwa Ibom and Abia states.
The corps members were held captive for about six days before they were released and reunited with their families.
Speaking to journalists after the court session, defence lawyers Adipuo and Ofoma stressed that the suspects remained innocent until proven guilty by a competent court.
The arraignment marks a further step in the legal proceedings over the abduction, which raised concerns about the safety of corps members travelling to their respective orientation camps.
The suspects will remain subject to the court’s proceedings as the cases continue.
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