DSS Charges Five in Imo State NYSC Kidnapping Case

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five suspects (Mohammed Ali, Usman Aliyu, Babangida Aliyu, Ibrahim Jiji, and Aminu Haliru) over the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and a civilian along the Owerri-Onitsha expressway in Imo State. The suspects were arrested during intelligence-led operations in Rivers and Abia states between October 10 and 14.

The victims were abducted on October 1 when gunmen attacked two 18-seater buses transporting passengers from Ibadan to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states. The attackers seized the passengers around 6:30 am near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area.

Initially, a ransom of N1 billion was demanded, later reduced to N5 million per victim, totaling N100 million. On October 7, a joint team of DSS, military, and police operatives rescued the victims from the Amakohia-Ubi forest.

Alirat Wahab, mother of one rescued corps member, claimed her family paid N6 million for her son's release, which differed from the official account. A manhunt is ongoing for three other suspects who escaped during the operations.