An investigating officer of the Department of State Services (DSS), Ikem Emmanuel, has told an Imo State High Court that investigations identified 11 suspects allegedly involved in the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in the state.
Emmanuel made the disclosure on Thursday, October 22, 2026, during proceedings before Justice Emeka Orafu in Owerri. The court is hearing charges against three defendants accused of participating in the October 1 kidnapping along the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway, while other alleged members of the group remain at large.
The DSS officer explained that investigators established the suspected involvement of 11 individuals through intelligence gathering, analysis of telephone records, statements obtained during questioning and identification evidence provided by victims and witnesses.
According to his testimony, one of the defendants, Usman Aliyu, allegedly admitted participating in the operation and disclosed that 11 people were involved.
The three defendants currently standing trial over the abduction are Usman Aliyu, 25, also known as Chonge; Babangida Aliyu, 21; and Mohammed Ali, 23, popularly known as Smallie Pepper.
They were arraigned on October 20 on charges relating to conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms. All three pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution alleges that the defendants and other suspects still at large abducted the prospective corps members on October 1 while they were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their assigned orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
The attack reportedly occurred at approximately 6:30 a.m. near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area, where armed men intercepted vehicles conveying the travellers.
The abducted persons were subsequently taken into a forest, prompting a joint security operation involving the DSS, military and police.
The victims regained their freedom on October 7, after approximately one week in captivity.
During Thursday's proceedings, Emmanuel told the court that investigators interviewed victims, drivers, witnesses and individuals connected with the alleged ransom payment.
He said the investigation also involved examining mobile phones and conducting identification procedures to establish the identities of those suspected of participating in the kidnapping.
According to the officer, a motorcyclist identified as Timothy recognised Usman Aliyu and Babangida Aliyu as individuals allegedly carrying AK-47 rifles at the location where ransom was exchanged.
A bus driver, Sunday Udok, also reportedly identified Usman Aliyu as one of the armed men who approached his vehicle during the attack.
Emmanuel further testified that some of the abducted passengers identified the three defendants as individuals allegedly involved in their captivity.
The officer maintained that statements attributed to the defendants were obtained in the presence of their legal representatives and DSS legal officers.
The prosecution had earlier alleged that the kidnappers collected ₦48 million and an undisclosed amount in United States dollars as ransom.
However, the allegations concerning the defendants' participation and any confessional statements remain evidence for the court to assess, rather than established findings of guilt.
In a related proceeding, two other defendants, Aminu Haliru and Tange Ibrahim, also known as Jijji, are facing charges over the separate abduction of four people in Imo State on October 4.
Prosecutors allege that the suspects and others still at large collected ₦8 million for the release of those victims.
The two defendants also pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.
During Thursday's hearing, Justice Orafu called on prosecution and defence lawyers to cooperate in ensuring that the cases proceed without unnecessary delays.
The judge expressed the intention that judgments should be delivered before January 2027 and directed that proceedings continue on October 27, 28, 29 and 30.
All five defendants are to remain in DSS custody while the cases continue.
The latest testimony provides further details about the investigation into the October 1 abduction, particularly the suspected number of people involved and the evidence investigators say connects the defendants to the incident.
Nevertheless, the disclosure that 11 people were allegedly involved does not mean that all 11 have been arrested or convicted. Only three defendants are currently standing trial in connection with the abduction of the prospective corps members.
The separate proceedings involving two additional defendants concern another kidnapping incident.
The court will determine the criminal responsibility of each accused person after considering the evidence presented by the prosecution and defence.
Stone Reporters News will continue to monitor the proceedings as the trial resumes on October 27.
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