Five suspects accused of kidnapping 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members and four other people in Imo State have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them before the Justice Oputa State High Court in Owerri.
The defendants face a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms.
Three of the suspects — 25-year-old Usman Aliyu, also known as Chonge; 21-year-old Babangida Aliyu; and 23-year-old Mohammed Ali, alias Smallie Pepper — are accused of abducting the prospective corps members on October 1, 2026, Nigeria’s Independence Day.
According to the charge sheet, the trio allegedly demanded and collected N48 million and an undisclosed amount in US dollars for the victims’ release.
They were also accused of unlawfully possessing three AK-47 rifles, four magazines, a pistol and 81 rounds of live ammunition.
The prosecuting counsel said the charge of conspiracy to commit hostage-taking is punishable under Section 6 of the Imo State Prohibition of Hostage Taking and Related Offences Law No. 4 of 2009.
Two face charges over separate abduction
The other defendants, 27-year-old Aminu Haliru and 20-year-old Tange Ibrahim, also known as Jijji, are accused of abducting four people around Owerri and Mgbidi on October 4, four days after the first incident.
The prosecution alleged that Haliru, Ibrahim and other suspects still at large collected N8 million for the release of the four victims.
They also face allegations of unlawfully possessing an AK-47 rifle and a pump-action gun.
The presiding judge, Justice Emeka Orafu, adjourned the trial until Thursday, October 22, 2026.
Victims rescued after security operation
The 20 prospective corps members were abducted by gunmen near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area on October 1 while travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their assigned NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
The incident triggered a security operation to locate the victims and apprehend those responsible.
On October 7, the 20 prospective corps members and a civilian were rescued from Amakohia-Ubi Forest in Owerri West Local Government Area. They subsequently received medical attention at the Department of State Services hospital in Owerri.
The DSS later arrested five suspects during intelligence-led operations conducted between October 10 and 14 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Aba, Abia State.
The operations involved a joint security team led by the DSS, working with the military, police and other security operatives.
Three other suspects reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds, prompting a manhunt for them and other fleeing members of the suspected kidnapping syndicate.
The arraignment marks a further step in the investigation, as proceedings against the five defendants begin.