Bus driver identifies five suspects in abduction of NYSC members in Imo

The driver of a bus conveying 20 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who were abducted in Imo State, has identified five men standing trial over the incident as members of the gang that attacked his vehicle and kidnapped the passengers.

The driver, who testified as the third prosecution witness at the Imo State High Court in Mgbidi on Friday, said he recognised the suspects, particularly the first defendant, who allegedly approached his bus carrying an AK-47 rifle and later marched the victims into a nearby bush.

Another prosecution witness, Light Timothy, told the court that he saw two of the defendants carrying AK-47 rifles shortly after the abduction along the Owerri-Mgbidi-Onitsha Expressway. He said he subsequently identified the first and second defendants during an identification parade conducted at the Department of State Services (DSS) office in the state.

The defendants are Mohammed Ali, Usman Aliyu, Babangida Aliyu, Ibrahim Jiji and Aminu Haliru. They were arraigned by the DSS over the abduction of 20 prospective corps members and a civilian. Three of them were specifically accused of kidnapping the prospective corps members.

The five men are also facing charges of conspiracy to commit hostage-taking under the Imo State Prohibition of Hostage Taking and Related Offences Law No. 4 of 2009, as well as unlawful possession of three AK-47 rifles, four magazines, a pistol and 81 rounds of live ammunition.

The victims were abducted on October 1 when gunmen attacked two 18-seater buses conveying passengers from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states. The attack occurred around 6:30 a.m. near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.

Ten victims were rescued shortly after the incident, while the remaining abductees were freed on October 7 by a joint team of DSS, military and police operatives at Amakohia-Ubi Forest. Five suspects were subsequently arrested in Rivers and Abia states between October 10 and 14, while three others reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds.

At the end of Friday’s proceedings, the presiding judge, Emeka Orafu, admitted the witnesses’ testimonies and the driver’s identity card in evidence. He adjourned the trial until November 3, 4, 5 and 6, 2026, for continuation of hearing.