DSS Presents Firearms Allegedly Used in NYSC Members’ Abduction

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday tendered weapons and ammunition allegedly used in the kidnapping of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members who were travelling to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.

The exhibits presented before the court included three AK-47 rifles, four AK-47 magazines, 81 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition and an unregistered English-made pistol. Testifying as the first prosecution witness, Mr Ikechukwu Emmanuel told the court that the firearms were recovered during investigations after the first defendant, Usman Aliyu, led security operatives to their location.

According to the witness, Aliyu guided security personnel to a dense forest around Okuku in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, where the weapons had been concealed in a polythene bag and buried.

Emmanuel stated that following the recovery, the exhibits were taken to the DSS office in Owerri. He added that the three defendants allegedly confirmed during interrogation that the weapons were used in the October 1, 2026 kidnapping of the NYSC members.

The witness further told the court that relatives of the victims paid a total ransom of N48 million to secure their release. He said N47 million was paid in dollars, while N1 million was paid in naira. According to him, Aliyu disclosed during questioning that the dollar payments were later converted to naira. However, only N155,200 was reportedly recovered from the suspects at the time of their arrest.

Following the presentation of the exhibits, the court ordered that the recovered firearms, ammunition and cash remain in the custody of the Armourer of the DSS State Command in Owerri pending the conclusion of the trial.

The case, marked HOU/22C/2026, continues on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, as the prosecution proceeds with its evidence against the accused persons.