DSS Charges Five Individuals for Kidnapping Corps Members

The Department of State Services (DSS) arraigned five defendants in connection with the kidnapping of prospective corps members along the Owerri–Mgbidi–Onitsha Expressway on October 1. The accused include Usman Aliyu, 25, known as Chonge; Babangida Aliyu, 21; and Mohammed Ali, 23, also called Smallie Pepper.

They were charged with conspiracy to commit hostage-taking under Section 6 of the Imo State Prohibition of Hostage Taking and Related Offences Law No. 4 of 2009. The victims were en route from Ibadan to their orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when they were abducted and rescued after seven days.

The defendants, along with others still at large, were also charged with unlawful possession of three AK-47 rifles, four magazines, a pistol, and 81 rounds of live ammunition. Additionally, Aminu Haliru, 27, and Tange Ibrahim, 20, known as Jijji, were arraigned for the alleged abduction of four individuals on October 4, during which they reportedly collected N8 million as ransom.

They were also charged with unlawful possession of firearms.