A bus driver who conveyed 20 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) abducted in Imo State has identified five suspects arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) as the alleged attackers.
Gatekeepers News reports that the driver made the identification on Friday, October 30, 2026, while testifying as the third prosecution witness before the Imo State High Court sitting in Mgbidi.
Another prosecution witness, Light Timothy, also told the court that he saw two of the defendants carrying AK-47 rifles shortly after the abduction along the Owerri-Mgbidi-Onitsha Expressway.
According to TheCable, the driver identified the first defendant as the man who approached his bus while carrying an AK-47 rifle and subsequently marched the 20 prospective corps members into a nearby bush.
Timothy also testified that he identified the first and second defendants during an identification parade conducted at the DSS state office.
Both witnesses maintained during their evidence-in-chief and cross-examination that they saw the defendants during the incident and could identify them.
During cross-examination, defence counsel requested the bus driver’s identity card. Presiding judge, Justice Emeka Orafu, examined the document and confirmed that the photograph on it bore a strong resemblance to the witness.
The testimonies of both witnesses and the driver’s identity card were subsequently admitted as evidence.
The five defendants are Mohammed Ali, Usman Aliyu, Babangida Aliyu, Ibrahim Jiji and Aminu Haliru.
Three of them — Aliyu, Ali and Babangida — are specifically accused of participating in the abduction of the prospective corps members.
The defendants were arraigned by the DSS on October 20 and pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include conspiracy to commit hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms.
The abduction occurred on October 1, when gunmen attacked two 18-seater buses conveying prospective corps members from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
The incident happened around 6:30am near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State. Ten victims were initially rescued, while the remaining abductees were taken into the bush.
The kidnappers reportedly demanded N1 billion in ransom before reducing the amount to N5 million per victim.
On October 7, security operatives rescued the 20 prospective corps members and a civilian from the Amakohia-Ubi forest in Imo State.
Following the latest proceedings, Justice Orafu adjourned the case to November 3, 4, 5 and 6 for continuation of hearing.
The five defendants remain presumed innocent until proven guilty by the court.
