Two men, Usman Aliyu and Babangida Aliyu, are on trial in Owerri for the alleged kidnapping of 20 prospective members of Nigeria’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Both defendants denied any involvement in the abduction and pleaded with the court for forgiveness and release.
Usman Aliyu, who was led in evidence by counsel Mr Paschal Oforma, said he was on his way to his shop in Ana, Abia State, when security operatives arrested him. He claimed he was not informed of the reason for his arrest until the following day, when he was accused of kidnapping. Usman stated that he made a statement to the Department of State Services (DSS), which was interpreted into Hausa before he thumb‑printed it, and he pleaded for forgiveness and his release.
During cross‑examination by the prosecution counsel, Mr Ekezie Nwauzor, Usman revealed that the shop he occupied belonged to his elder brother, Umar Mohamed, who lives in Oyo State. He also presented evidence of payment for a self‑contained apartment in Ariara, Ana, and identified Ibrahim and Mohammed as his co‑tenants and Chinedu as his landlord. Usman acknowledged that he was captured in an audio‑visual recording narrating his alleged involvement in the crime but denied being identified during an identification parade.
Babangida Aliyu, also led in evidence by Mr Oforma, said he lived in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he operated a shop selling noodles, bread and tea. He claimed that DSS operatives arrested him on a Saturday evening at his shop in the Oil Mill area of Port Harcourt. Babangida denied knowing the first defendant or participating in the abduction of the prospective corps members and pleaded with the court to forgive and release him, citing his wife and child as reasons for his plea.
In cross‑examination, Babangida could not state the name of the street where his shop was located. He claimed he bought the shop from a man named Bello, an indigene of Kebbi State, but admitted he had no documents to establish ownership. He confirmed that his statement was taken in the presence of his lawyer and captured in an audio‑visual recording, and he acknowledged appearing in a video in which he narrated what happened during the abduction of the NYSC members.
The case was adjourned until Friday, 6 November 2026, for continuation of the hearing.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
