#Imo NYSC Kidnap: 5 Suspects Arrested, Arraigned Over ₦950m Ransom Demand

Twenty prospective corps members abducted while travelling to their NYSC orientation camps in Imo State have been rescued, but the case has taken a new turn as five suspects face trial over the alleged kidnapping and a reported ₦950 million ransom demand.

Five suspects have been arrested and arraigned before an Imo State High Court over the alleged kidnapping of 20 prospective NYSC members and a reported ₦950 million ransom demand. The victims were abducted on October 1, 2026, and rescued six days later.

Five suspects have been arrested and arraigned before an Imo State High Court over the alleged kidnapping of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members who were travelling to their orientation camps, following a reported ransom demand of ₦950 million.

The victims were abducted on October 1, 2026, while travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their assigned NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.

The gunmen reportedly attacked two buses conveying the prospective corps members near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.

The Department of State Services (DSS) subsequently arrested five suspects in connection with the abduction and a separate kidnapping incident involving four other victims.

DSS Arraigns Suspects Over NYSC Abduction

Three of the suspects were arraigned over the abduction of the prospective corps members, while the other two faced charges relating to the alleged kidnapping of four additional people.

The three defendants in the NYSC case were identified as Usman Aliyu, 25, also known as Chonge; Babangida Aliyu, 21; and Mohammed Ali, 23, alias Smallie Pepper.

According to the charge sheet, the defendants and other suspects at large allegedly demanded and collected ₦48 million and an undisclosed amount in US dollars in exchange for the victims’ release.

They were also accused of unlawfully possessing three AK-47 rifles, four magazines, a pistol and 81 rounds of ammunition.

The charges against them included conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Victims Rescued After Six Days in Captivity

The abduction sparked concern over the safety of prospective corps members travelling to their assigned orientation camps.

Reports at the time indicated that the kidnappers demanded ₦50 million per victim, with the reported ransom demand for 19 prospective corps members put at ₦950 million.

The 20 prospective corps members and another abducted person were rescued on October 7 following a coordinated security operation.

The rescue came six days after the reported abduction.

DSS Arrests Five Suspects in Two States

The DSS reportedly arrested the five suspects during intelligence-led operations conducted between October 10 and 14 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Aba, Abia State.

The arrests were linked to the NYSC abduction and a separate kidnapping case involving four additional victims.

Following their arraignment, the court ordered that the defendants be remanded pending further proceedings and adjourned the case for hearing.

The arraignment marks another stage in the legal process concerning the abduction, while efforts to apprehend other suspects allegedly involved in the crimes are expected to continue.