BREAKING: DSS arraigns suspects over kidnap of 20 NYSC members
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The suspects, identified in photographs accompanying the report as Ibrahim Jiji, Aminu Haliru, Mohammed Ali, Usman Aliyu and Babangida Aliyu, 31, were brought before the Justice Oputa State High Court in Owerri on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
By Tolulope Oke
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five suspects before the Imo State High Court in Owerri over their alleged involvement in the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and another passenger.
The suspects, identified in photographs accompanying the report as Ibrahim Jiji, Aminu Haliru, Mohammed Ali, Usman Aliyu and Babangida Aliyu, 31, were brought before the Justice Oputa State High Court in Owerri on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
Their arraignment followed a joint security operation involving the DSS, military and Nigeria Police Force, which led to their arrest in Rivers and Abia states between October 10 and 14.
The case arose from the October 1 abduction of 20 prospective corps members and another passenger along the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway in Imo State.
The victims were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their respective NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when gunmen intercepted their vehicles near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area.
They were subsequently taken into captivity, triggering a coordinated search-and-rescue operation by security agencies.
The 20 prospective corps members and the other passenger regained their freedom on October 7 following a security operation at Amakohia-Ubi in Owerri West Local Government Area.
The victims were taken to the DSS hospital in Owerri for medical attention and necessary examinations.
Following their rescue, security operatives intensified efforts to apprehend those allegedly responsible for the attack.
The intelligence-led operations resulted in the arrest of five suspects, while three others reportedly escaped with gunshot injuries.
Security agencies have continued efforts to track down the fleeing suspects.
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