Two men standing trial over the abduction of 20 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have denied participating in the crime, asking the court to forgive them and grant their release.
The defendants, Usman Aliyu and Babangida Aliyu, presented their defence on Wednesday before an Imo State court as proceedings continued over the October 2026 kidnapping incident.
Usman, who testified as the first defence witness, told the court through his lawyer, Paschal Oforma, that he was heading to his shop in Ana, Abia State, when security operatives arrested him.
He claimed that he was not informed of the reason for his arrest until the following day, when he was accused of involvement in the kidnapping.
He further explained that he made a statement to the Department of State Services (DSS), which he said was interpreted into Hausa before he thumb-printed it.
When asked whether he had anything else to tell the court, Usman appealed for forgiveness and requested his release.
Defendant Denies Identification by Witnesses
During cross-examination by prosecuting counsel, Ekezie Nwauzor, Usman said the shop he occupied belonged to his elder brother, Umar Mohamed, who resides in Oyo State.
He also told the court that he had evidence of payment for a self-contained apartment in Ariara, Ana, on his mobile phone. He identified two people, Ibrahim and Mohammed, as his co-tenants and Chinedu as his landlord.
Although Usman acknowledged appearing in an audio-visual recording in which he allegedly narrated his involvement in the incident, he denied being identified during an identification parade.
Second Suspect Denies Knowing Co-Defendant
Babangida, the second defendant, told the court that he lived in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he operated a small business selling noodles, bread and tea.
He said DSS operatives arrested him at his shop in the Oil Mill area of Port Harcourt on a Saturday evening.
Babangida denied knowing Usman or participating in the abduction. He also appealed to the court for his release, citing his responsibility to care for his wife and child.
However, during cross-examination, he was unable to provide the name of the street where his shop was located.
He claimed to have purchased the shop from a man identified as Bello, from Kebbi State, but admitted that he had no documents to establish ownership.
Babangida also confirmed that his statement was taken in the presence of his lawyer and recorded audiovisually. He acknowledged appearing in a video in which he narrated events surrounding the abduction.
Court Adjourns Trial
The case concerns the abduction of 20 prospective corps members travelling to their orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states in October.
The defendants’ testimony comes after prosecution witnesses, including victims of the incident, gave evidence in court. The allegations remain subject to determination by the court.
The hearing was adjourned until Friday, November 6, 2026, for continuation of proceedings.
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