The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned three suspects before the Imo State High Court sitting in Owerri over their involvement in the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members along the Owerri–Mgbidi–Onitsha Expressway.
​The accused persons, Usman Aliyu (25, alias Chonge), Babangida Aliyu (21), and Mohammed Ali (23, alias Smallie Pepper), were brought before the court during a morning session on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
​The abduction occurred on October 1, 2026 (Nigeria’s Independence Day), as the prospective corps members were traveling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their assigned NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states. Armed men intercepted their vehicle along the Owerri-Onitsha axis and held them in captivity for six days before they were rescued and reunited with their families.
​The prosecution, led by state counsel Ekezie Nwauzo, filed charges bordering on Conspiracy to commit hostage-taking, Hostage-taking under Section 6 of the Imo State Prohibition of Hostage Taking and Related Offences Law No. 4 of 2009 and Unlawful possession of firearms.
​The three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges read before the court. Following the reading of the charges, prosecution counsel Ekezie Nwauzo submitted a motion requesting that the court remand the defendants in DSS custody pending trial.
​Presiding judge Justice Emeka Orafu granted the motion, ordering the three suspects to remain in DSS custody as the case moves forward.
​Defense counsels Nnaemeka Adipuo (representing Usman Aliyu and Babangida Aliyu) and Paschal Ofoma (representing Mohammed Ali) addressed press correspondents outside the courtroom following the proceedings.
​”Our clients have pleaded not guilty to the allegations brought against them. Under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, every suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction,” stated Defense Counsel Paschal Ofoma.
​Justice Emeka Orafu adjourned the trial for hearing across multiple scheduled dates: Thursday, October 22, and October 27, 28, and 29, 2026.
