DSS Arraigns 5 Suspects for Kidnapping 20 NYSC Members in Imo

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday arraigned five suspected kidnappers before the Imo State High Court in Owerri over their involvement in the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and four other victims.

The suspects, identified as Usman Aliyu (alias Chonge), Babangida Aliyu, Mohammed Ali (alias Smallie Pepper), Ibrahim Jiji, and Aminu Haliru were apprehended following joint intelligence-led operations by the DSS, military, and police forces across Rivers and Abia states between October 10 and 14.

According to prosecutors, the gang intercepted two 18-seater buses conveying prospective corps members along the Owerri–Mgbidi–Onitsha Expressway near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area on Nigeria’s Independence Day, October 1. The victims, who were traveling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their assigned NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states, were forced into nearby forests.

The abductors initially demanded a N1 billion ransom from the families before scaling down their demand. However, after seven days in captivity, all 20 prospective corps members were rescued alive from the Amakohia-Ubi forest in Owerri West Local Government Area during a joint security operation on October 7.

Appearing before Justice Oputa of the Imo State High Court, the defendants face charges bordering on criminal conspiracy, hostage-taking, and unlawful possession of firearms under Section 6 of the Imo State Prohibition of Hostage Taking and Related Offences Law.