A Department of State Services (DSS) operative has told an Imo State High Court how three men standing trial over the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members were identified by victims and a bus driver.
The witness, Ikechukwu Emmanuel, who investigated the incident, gave the testimony on Thursday as the trial of the three defendants commenced before Justice Emeka Orafu.
The suspects, identified as Usman Aliyu, also known as Chonge; Babangida Aliyu; and Mohamed Ali, alias Smallie Pepper, are facing a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms.
According to the witness, the incident occurred at about 6:30 a.m. on October 1, 2026, when the 20 prospective corps members were travelling in two buses from Ibadan to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
He told the court that armed men wielding AK-47 rifles attacked the buses and forced all 20 passengers into the bush.
Emmanuel said security agencies, including the DSS, launched operations using human and technical intelligence to track the abductors and secure the victims’ release.
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He added that the hostages were eventually released after a ransom was paid, while investigations continued.
The DSS operative 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.
Explaining how the defendants were identified, the witness said they were placed among 10 other individuals during an identification parade, where the abducted prospective corps members and one of the bus drivers picked them out.
He also told the court that Usman Aliyu stated in his confessional statement that 11 people participated in the kidnapping operation.
Following the witness’s evidence-in-chief, Justice Orafu adjourned the case until October 27, 28 and 29, 2026, for continuation of the hearing.
The judge urged the defence counsel to be prepared to cross-examine the witness immediately after the conclusion of his testimony, stressing his determination to ensure the trial does not extend into the new year.
The three defendants remain on trial, and the allegations against them have yet to be determined by the court.
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