RismadarVoice Reporters
November 5, 2026
Two defendants standing trial over the alleged abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo State have denied involvement in the crime while presenting their defence before the court.
The defendants, Usman Aliyu and Babangida Aliyu, gave their accounts during proceedings before an Imo State High Court presided over by Justice Emeka Orafu.
Testifying as the first defence witness, Usman told the court that security operatives arrested him while he was travelling to his shop in Aba, Abia State.
Led in evidence by his counsel, Paschal Oforma, he maintained that he was not involved in the kidnapping and claimed he was informed of the allegation only a day after his arrest.
Usman acknowledged making a statement to the Department of State Services (DSS), which he said was interpreted into Hausa before he thumb-printed it.
During cross-examination by prosecution counsel Ekezie Nwauzor, he also acknowledged appearing in an audiovisual recording concerning the alleged kidnapping but denied being identified during an identification parade.
He appealed to the court for forgiveness and release.
The second defendant, Babangida, similarly denied involvement, telling the court that he operated a small food business in the Oil Mill area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He said DSS operatives arrested him at his shop on a Saturday evening.
Babangida maintained that he did not know Usman before the proceedings and had no involvement in the abduction.
However, under cross-examination, he was unable to identify the street where his shop was located or provide documents establishing ownership.
He also confirmed that his statement was recorded audiovisually in the presence of his lawyer.
The defendants are among three men specifically charged over the October 1 abduction of 20 prospective corps members travelling from Ibadan to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
The prosecution had earlier presented witnesses, including two victims, who testified about the circumstances of their abduction and subsequent captivity.
A DSS investigator also alleged that the defendants had been identified during an identification exercise.
The defendants have pleaded not guilty to charges involving conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms.
The court adjourned proceedings until Friday, November 6, 2026, for continuation of the hearing.
No judgment has been delivered, and the defendants remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
