The [Imo State High Court](https://www.imostate.gov.ng) on Thursday ordered that five suspects accused of kidnapping prospective members of the [National Youth Service Corps](https://nysc.gov.ng) be tried swiftly, directing that they stay in the custody of the [Department of State Services](https://dss.gov.ng) throughout the proceedings.
Justice Emeka Orafu scheduled four consecutive days of hearings from 27 to 30 October to continue the trials. He instructed both prosecution and defence lawyers to work collaboratively with the bench so that a verdict can be delivered before January 2027.
Three of the accused are linked to the abduction of twenty NYSC aspirants on Nigeria’s Independence Day, while the remaining two face separate kidnapping charges. During the hearing, DSS officer Ikem Emmanuel detailed the investigative steps that led to the arrest of the three individuals tied to the NYSC case, noting that intelligence gathering, data analysis, record verification, and interviews with victims and witnesses were all part of the process.
Emmanuel further explained that an identification parade was held, during which victims and witnesses positively identified the three men as members of the kidnapping gang. He added that one defendant, Usman Aliyu, admitted in his statement to taking part in the operation and claimed that a total of eleven people were involved. All statements were recorded in the presence of the suspects’ legal counsel and DSS legal officers.
In the separate case involving the other two defendants, the officer confirmed that their statements were also taken with their lawyers and DSS legal officers present. Justice Orafu adjourned both matters to the specified dates in October and reiterated that all five accused must remain under DSS custody until the conclusion of the trial.
**What did the judge order?**
The court mandated a rapid trial schedule, required cooperation from both sides of the bar, and insisted that the defendants stay in DSS detention.
**How did the DSS conduct its investigation?**
The agency employed a combination of intelligence work, data analysis, record checks, and witness interviews, culminating in an identification parade that linked the suspects to the kidnappings.
**What statements were obtained?**
Usman Aliyu confessed to involvement and alleged a larger gang of eleven members; all statements were taken with legal representation present.
The hearing underscores the authorities’ commitment to addressing kidnapping incidents that target young Nigerians awaiting national service.