Court begins trial over kidnap of 20 NYSC members

OWERRI — An Imo State High Court, presided over by Justice Emeka Orafu, has commenced hearing in the case involving the kidnap of 20 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Three defendants — Usman Aliyu, alias Chonge; Babangida Aliyu; and Mohamed Ali, alias Smallie Pepper — are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms in suit number HOU/22C/2026.

The Imo State Director of Public Prosecution, Mr Martins Udolwu, led the prosecution team, while Nnaemeka S. C. Adipo and Paschal Ofoma appeared for the defendants.

Testifying before the court, the first prosecution witness, Ikechukwu Emmanuel, a staff member of the Department of State Services (DSS), said he investigated the incident.

Emmanuel told the court that on October 1, 2026, at about 6.30am, 20 prospective corps members travelling in two buses from Ibadan to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states were attacked by suspected kidnappers armed with AK-47 rifles.

“Twenty corps members from both buses were taken hostage and moved into the bush,” he said.

The witness said security agencies in Imo, including the DSS, immediately deployed human and technical resources to track the attackers and secure the victims’ release.

He told the court that the victims were released after the payment of the ransom demanded by the suspects, but investigations continued.

According to him, intelligence reports indicated that the suspected kidnappers had relocated to Rivers and Abia states, leading to the arrest of the three defendants between October 10 and 14, 2026.

Emmanuel also narrated how the DSS conducted an identification parade involving the three defendants and 10 other people.

He said the released victims and one of the bus drivers identified the defendants during the exercise.

The witness further told the court that Usman Aliyu, in a confessional statement, allegedly admitted that 11 people participated in the kidnapping operation.

After the proceedings, Justice Orafu adjourned the case until October 27, 28 and 29, 2026, for continuation of hearing.

The judge said he did not want the case to extend into the new year, directing the defence to be ready to cross-examine the witness immediately after the conclusion of his evidence-in-chief.

“The defence must be ready to cross-examine the witness immediately he is done with his evidence-in-chief,” the judge said.