Court Opens Trial Over Kidnap of 20 NYSC Members in Imo

An Imo State High Court, presided over by Justice Emeka Orafu, has begun hearing the case involving the abduction 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 charges of conspiracy, hostage-taking, and unlawful possession of firearms in suit number HOU/22C/2026.

The Director of Public Prosecution, Martins Udolwu, led the prosecution, while Nnaemeka S.C. Adipo and Paschal Ofoma represented the defendants.

Testifying, the first prosecution witness, Ikechukwu Emmanuel of the Department of State Services (DSS), said the incident occurred on October 1, 2026, when 20 corps members traveling in two buses from Ibadan to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom were attacked by armed kidnappers.

The victims were taken into the bush and later released after ransom payments.Emmanuel told the court that intelligence reports led to the arrest of the three suspects in Rivers and Abia between October 10 and 14.

He added that during an identification parade, victims and a bus driver pointed out the defendants, while one suspect allegedly confessed that 11 people took part in the operation.

Justice Orafu adjourned the case to October 27–29, 2026, stressing that proceedings must not extend into the new year.

He directed the defence to be ready for cross-examination immediately after the witness concludes his testimony.