Five suspects have been arraigned before an Imo State High Court over the alleged kidnapping of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members who were abducted while travelling to their orientation camps. The kidnappers had initially demanded ₦950 million in ransom, according to the Department of State Services (DSS).
Details of the Abduction
The victims were abducted on October 1, 2026, while travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their assigned NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states. Gunmen attacked two buses near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, taking the prospective corps members and four other individuals hostage.
Reports at the time of the abduction indicated that the kidnappers demanded ₦50 million per victim, bringing the total ransom demand for 19 prospective corps members to ₦950 million. The 20 prospective corps members and another abducted person were rescued on October 7 following a coordinated operation involving security agencies.
Arrests and Charges
Following intelligence-led operations conducted between October 10 and 14 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Aba, Abia State, the DSS arrested five suspects in connection with the NYSC abduction and a separate kidnapping incident. Three of the suspects were arraigned over the abduction of the prospective corps members, while two others faced charges relating to the kidnapping of four additional people.
The defendants, identified as Usman Aliyu, 25, also known as Chonge; Babangida Aliyu, 21; and Mohammed Ali, 23, alias Smallie Pepper, were arraigned by the DSS. They pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms.
Ransom and Weapons Allegations
According to the charge sheet in the NYSC case, the three defendants and other suspects still at large allegedly demanded and collected ₦48 million and an undisclosed amount in US dollars for the victims' release. They were also accused of unlawfully possessing three AK-47 rifles, four magazines, a pistol and 81 rounds of ammunition.
The court ordered that the defendants be remanded pending further proceedings, with the case adjourned for hearing. The arraignment marks a new stage in the investigation into the abduction, as security agencies continue efforts to apprehend other suspects reportedly involved in the crime.
