The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five suspects over the abduction of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members along the Owerri-Onitsha Road.
Three of the defendants, Usman Aliyu, Babangida Aliyu and Mohammed Ali, pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge bordering on abduction and hostage-taking, collection of N48 million and foreign currency as ransom, and illegal possession of firearms.
The other two suspects, Aminu Haliru and Jiji Ibrahim, were charged with conspiracy, hostage-taking and illegal possession of firearms.
They were accused of abducting Winner Ogidi, Opara Timothy, Ogechi Henrietta and another person on 04-10-2026. They also pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
During proceedings, the prosecution counsel, Ekezie Nwauzo, filed an application seeking an order to keep the defendants in DSS custody. The court, presided over by Justice Emeka Orafu, granted the application.
Nnaemeka Adipuo represented the first and second defendants in the case involving the abduction of corps members, while Paschal Ofoma appeared for the third defendant.
The court adjourned the cases to 22 October 2026 and 27, 28 and October 2026 for hearing.
The arraignment follows reports that about 20 corps members were abducted on 01-10-2026 while travelling along the Owerri-Onitsha Road to NYSC orientation camps in Akwa Ibom and Abia states.
The victims were released after spending about six days in captivity and were later reunited with their families.
Speaking to journalists after the court proceedings, defence lawyers Adipuo and Ofoma maintained that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.
