The trial of the five suspected kidnappers resumed at the Imo State High Court on Friday, with two witnesses testifying against the defendants. The bus driver, who conveyed the 20 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on the day of the kidnapping, identified the five suspects as the persons who attacked the bus and abducted the passengers.
Another prosecution witness, Mr Light Timothy, also testified that he saw two of the five suspects wielding AK-47 rifles shortly after the abduction along the Owerri–Mgbidi–Onitsha Expressway. Timothy stated that he identified both men during an identification parade conducted at the DSS state office. His testimony corroborated that of the bus driver, who maintained that he saw the defendants allegedly commit the offences of conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of arms.
The bus driver, who testified as the third prosecution witness, told the court that he could clearly identify the first defendant as the person who initially approached his bus on the day of the attack, clutching an AK-47 rifle. He also stated that the first defendant was the person he saw marching the 20 prospective corps members into a nearby bush after taking them hostage.
During cross-examination, defence counsel requested the bus driver’s identity card to verify his identity. The trial judge, Justice Emeka Orafu, confirmed that the colour photograph on the identity card presented by the driver looked very much like him. Thereafter, the testimonies of both witnesses, alongside the driver’s identity card, were admitted in evidence.
The five suspects are being tried for allegedly kidnapping the 20 prospective NYSC members on Independence Day. The incident occurred along the Owerri–Mgbidi–Onitsha Expressway in Imo State. The DSS arrested the suspects and has been holding them in custody pending trial.
Justice Orafu adjourned the trial to November 3, 4, 5 and 6, 2026, for continuation of hearing. The court will hear further evidence from the prosecution and defence counsel. The case has garnered significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the crime.
The kidnapping of the NYSC members had sparked widespread outrage and concern across the country. The NYSC is a mandatory one-year service programme for Nigerian graduates, aimed at promoting national unity and development. The incident highlighted the security challenges facing the country, particularly in the area of kidnapping and banditry.
Key points
- The bus driver and witness identified the five suspects as the persons who allegedly attacked the bus and abducted the 20 prospective NYSC members.
- The trial has been adjourned to November 3, 4, 5 and 6, 2026, for continuation of hearing.
- The incident occurred along the Owerri–Mgbidi–Onitsha Expressway in Imo State on Independence Day.
