Imo Court Sets October 27 for Trial of Five Alleged NYSC Prospects’ Kidnappers

An Imo State High Court has fixed October 27, 2026, for further proceedings in the trial of five suspects allegedly linked to the kidnapping of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and four other persons.

The defendants were arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday, October 20, before Justice Emeka Orafu. They pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.

Three of the suspects, identified as Usman Aliyu, 25, also known as Chonge; Babangida Aliyu, 21; and Mohammed Ali, 23, alias Smallie Pepper, are accused of abducting the prospective corps members on October 1.

The victims were reportedly travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when they were intercepted by gunmen along the Owerri–Mgbidi–Onitsha Expressway in Imo State.

According to the prosecution, the suspects and others still at large allegedly collected ₦48 million and an undisclosed amount in foreign currency as ransom. They were also accused of unlawfully possessing three AK-47 rifles, four magazines, a pistol and 81 rounds of live ammunition.

The other defendants, Aminu Haliru, 27, and Tange Ibrahim, 20, also known as Jijji, face separate charges over the alleged abduction of four people around Owerri and Mgbidi on October 4.

The prosecution alleged that the pair and other suspects collected ₦8 million for the release of the victims. They were also charged with unlawful possession of firearms.

Following the defendants’ pleas, the prosecution applied for their continued detention. The court granted the application, ordering that they remain in DSS custody.

The 20 prospective corps members and another passenger were rescued on October 7 from a forest in the Amakohia-Ubi area of Owerri West Local Government Area, following a security operation involving the DSS, military and police.

The court proceedings are expected to continue on the scheduled dates as the prosecution presents its case.

The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court.