The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five suspects before a court over the alleged abduction of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members along the Owerri-Onitsha Road, with the defendants pleading not guilty to the charges.
The suspects, identified as Usman Aliyu, Babangida Aliyu, Mohammed Ali, Aminu Haliru and Jiji Ibrahim, were arraigned on charges bordering on abduction, hostage-taking, conspiracy and illegal possession of firearms.
According to the charges, Usman Aliyu, Babangida Aliyu and Mohammed Ali allegedly participated in the abduction of corps members and the collection of ransom amounting to ₦48 million and foreign currency.
The trio pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge brought against them, which included abduction and hostage-taking, ransom collection, and unlawful possession of firearms.
The other two defendants, Aminu Haliru and Jiji Ibrahim, were charged with conspiracy, hostage-taking and illegal possession of firearms. They also pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
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The prosecution alleged that the defendants were involved in the abduction of Winner Ogidi, Opara Timothy, Ogechi Henrietta and another victim on October 4, 2026.
Following the arraignment, counsel to the prosecution, Ekezie Nwauzo, filed an application seeking an order for the defendants to remain in DSS custody pending further proceedings.
The court, presided over by Justice Emeka Orafu, granted the application.
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Nnaemeka Adipuo represented the first and second defendants in the case involving the alleged abduction of the corps members, while Paschal Ofoma appeared for the third defendant.
The cases were adjourned to Thursday, October 22, and October 27, 28 and 29 for further hearing.
Speaking with journalists after the court session, defence counsel Adipuo and Ofoma stressed that the defendants remained presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The arraignment comes weeks after reports emerged that about 20 NYSC corps members had been abducted on October 1, 2026, along the Owerri-Onitsha Road while travelling to orientation camps in Akwa Ibom and Abia states.
The corps members were reportedly travelling to their respective orientation camps when they were seized by their abductors.
They were subsequently released after spending approximately six days in captivity and later reunited with their families.
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The latest court proceedings mark a step in the legal process concerning the alleged kidnapping, as the defendants are expected to face further hearings on the charges against them.
The allegations remain unproven, and the defendants are entitled to the presumption of innocence until a court determines their guilt.
