Nigeria: DSS Brings Five to Court for Kidnap of 20 Corps Members
The Department of State Services (DSS) has brought five suspects before the High Court in Imo State regarding the dramatic kidnapping of 20 aspiring National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and one civilian. This court appearance occurred on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, following a joint security operation coordinated across multiple agencies. The five individuals facing charges are Mohammed Ali (aka Smallie Pepper), Usman Aliyu (aka Chonge), Babangida Aliyu, Ibrahim Jiji, and Aminu Haliru. These defendants are accused of conspiracy, hostage-taking, and illegal firearms possession. Three of the accused are specifically charged in connection with the October 1 abduction involving the 20 corps members, while the other two face separate allegations related to an October 4 kidnapping of four people from which ₦8 million was extorted. The 20 prospective corps members were en route via two buses from Ibadan, Oyo State, heading toward their orientation programs in Abia and Akwa I...