A Department of State Services (DSS) operative has told an Imo State High Court how three suspects standing trial over the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members were identified by some of the victims and a bus driver.
The witness, Ikechukwu Emmanuel, who investigated the incident, gave the testimony on Thursday as proceedings commenced in the case against the three defendants.
The accused persons, Usman Aliyu, also known as Chonge; Babangida Aliyu; and Mohamed Ali, alias Smallie Pepper, are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms in suit number HOU/22C/2026.
Testifying before Justice Emeka Orafu, Emmanuel said the abduction occurred at about 6:30 a.m. on October 1, 2026, when 20 prospective corps members were travelling in two buses from Ibadan to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
According to the DSS operative, armed men carrying AK-47 rifles attacked the buses, seized all 20 passengers and took them into the bush.
He told the court that security agencies in Imo State, including the DSS, subsequently launched operations using human and technical intelligence to track the suspected kidnappers and secure the victims’ release.
The witness said the hostages were eventually freed after the payment of ransom demanded by their abductors, while security operatives continued investigating the incident.
Emmanuel further disclosed that intelligence reports indicated that the suspects had moved to Rivers and Abia states, leading to their arrests between October 10 and 14, 2026.
Victims Identify Suspects During Parade
Explaining how the defendants were identified, the witness said they were placed among 10 other individuals during an identification parade.
He told the court that some of the abducted prospective corps members and one of the bus drivers identified the three defendants during the exercise.
Emmanuel also informed the court that Usman Aliyu stated in his confessional statement that 11 people participated in the abduction operation.
The allegations are before the court, where the defendants are standing trial.
The Imo State Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Martins Udolwu, led the prosecution team, while Mr Nnaemeka S.C. Adipo and Mr Paschal Ofoma appeared for the defendants.
Court Fixes Three Dates for Continuation of Trial
Following the witness’s evidence-in-chief, Justice Orafu adjourned the case to October 27, 28 and 29, 2026, for continuation of the hearing.
The judge urged the defence team to prepare to cross-examine the witness immediately after he concludes his evidence-in-chief, warning against unnecessary delays.
“The Defence must be ready to cross-examine the witness immediately he is done with his evidence in chief,” Justice Orafu said.
He stressed that he did not want the trial to extend into the new year.
The case is expected to resume on October 27 as the court continues hearing evidence in the prosecution of the three defendants over the abduction of the prospective corps members.
0 Comments