The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five suspects over the abduction of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members along the Owerri-Onitsha Road.

The suspects were arraigned before a court presided over by Justice Emeka Orafu, with three of them facing charges bordering on abduction and hostage-taking, collection of N48 million and foreign currency as ransom, and illegal possession of firearms.

The three defendants, identified as Usman Aliyu, Babangida Aliyu and Mohammed Ali, pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge.

The other two suspects, Aminu Haliru and Jiji Ibrahim, were charged with conspiracy, hostage-taking and illegal possession of firearms.

They were accused of abducting Winner Ogidi, Opara Timothy, Ogechi Henrietta and another victim on October 4, 2026.

They also pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Counsel to the state, Ekezie Nwauzo, filed an application seeking an order to remand the suspects in DSS custody.

The court granted the application.

Nnaemeka Adipuo represented the first and second defendants in the case involving the abduction of corps members, while Paschal Ofoma appeared for the third defendant.

The cases were adjourned to October 22 and October 27, 28 and 29 for further proceedings.

Recall that about 20 corps members were abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road while travelling to NYSC orientation camps in Akwa Ibom and Abia states.

The victims were subsequently released after spending about six days in captivity and reunited with their families.

Speaking with journalists after the court proceedings, defence counsel Adipuo and Ofoma stressed that the defendants remained innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.