DSS arraigns three suspects, two others in court for abduction of 20 Corps members in Imo. -

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DSS arraigns three suspects, two others in court for abduction of 20 Corps members in Imo.

The Department of State Services has arraigned three suspects, namely Usman Aliyu,

Babangida Aliyu and

Mohammed Ali, over alleged abduction of 20 NYSC corps members and 14 others along the Owerri-Onitsha road.

It would be recalled that the 20 NYSC members and 14 others were kidnapped along Owerri –Onitsha on October 1st, 2026 on their way to Akwa Ibom state.

The abducted corps members spent six days in captivity and latter released to reunit with families.

The three suspects pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge of abduction and hostage taking, collection of ransom of N48 million and dollar, as well as illegal possession of firearms including three AK 47 rifles and 85 live ammunition.

The other two suspects, Aliyu Haliru and Ibrahim Jiji were charged for conspiracy and hostage taking and illegal possession of firearms.

They were accused of abducting Winner Ogidi, Opara Timothy, Ogechi Henrietta

and one other on October 4, 2026, but they also pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecuting Counsel from the State Ministry of Justice, Barrister Ekezie Nwauzo, filed a motion for the suspects to remain in the DSS custody, which the presiding Judge Justice Emeka Orafu granted his application.

Barrister Nnaemeka Adipuo stood in for the first and second defendants in the case of abduction of corps members, while Paschal Ofoma represented the third defendant.

The cases were adjourned to Thursday October 22, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of October 27, 28, 29, for hearing.

Speaking to journalists after the court session, counsels for the defendants, Nnamdi Adipuo and Paschal Ofoma, noted suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.