Three Plead Not Guilty Over Abduction of 20 Prospective NYSC Members in Imo
IMO — Three men accused of abducting 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members in Imo State have pleaded not guilty after being arraigned before the Imo State High Court, with the court ordering them to remain in Department of State Services custody as proceedings continue.
The defendants — Usman Aliyu, 25; Babangida Aliyu, 21; and Mohammed Ali, 23 — face charges arising from the October 1 abduction of the prospective corps members.
Two other defendants were arraigned in a separate case involving the alleged abduction of four people on October 4.
All five pleaded not guilty.
October 1 case involves 20 prospective corps members
Prosecutors allege that Aliyu, Babangida and Mohammed, alongside others still at large, abducted 20 prospective NYSC members along the Owerri-Mgbidi-Onitsha corridor on October 1.
The prospective corps members were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when they were abducted.
The 20 prospective corps members were rescued on October 7, according to security and media accounts.
Prosecutors allege ransom payments and firearms offences
The three defendants face allegations including conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms.
According to the charge sheet, prosecutors allege that ₦48 million and an undisclosed amount in US dollars were demanded and collected for the release of the prospective corps members.
They are also accused of unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition.
Those allegations have not been proved in court.
The defendants’ not-guilty pleas mean prosecutors must establish the allegations through the judicial process.
Two defendants face separate October 4 case
The other two defendants — Aminu Haliru, 27, and Tange Ibrahim, 20 — face charges arising from a separate alleged abduction involving four people around Owerri and Mgbidi on October 4.
Prosecutors allege that ₦8 million was collected for the release of those four people.
Reporting on the prosecution case also says investigators allege that ₦1.8 million was recovered.
Those monetary claims remain prosecution allegations and have not been established as fact by the court.
The distinction between the cases is central:
Three defendants are accused in the October 1 case involving 20 prospective NYSC members. Two defendants face a different October 4 case involving four people.
Court orders defendants to remain in DSS custody
Prosecuting counsel asked the court to keep the defendants in DSS custody while proceedings continue.
Justice Emeka Orafu granted the request.
The cases were scheduled for hearing on October 22 and October 27, 28 and 29, 2026.
Remaining in DSS custody does not establish guilt.
All five defendants are presumed innocent unless and until the prosecution proves its case and a court convicts them.
Case moves from rescue to evidence
The October 1 incident had already raised concerns about the safety of prospective corps members required to travel long distances to report for national service.
The arraignment now moves the matter into a different phase.
The immediate question is no longer only how the victims were rescued, but what evidence prosecutors can establish against each defendant and whether that evidence proves the charges beyond the allegations contained in the charge sheets.
The separate October 4 case must also remain distinct as both matters move through the court.
WHAT TO WATCH
- October 22 court proceedings
- Hearings scheduled for October 27–29
- Prosecution evidence and defence responses
- Any subsequent bail or custody ruling
- Further arrests of persons said to remain at large
- Any NYSC or government response on travel safety for prospective corps members
