Two men standing trial over the abduction of 20 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Imo State have admitted making the written and audio-visual confessional statements that the Department of State Services (DSS) tendered before the court.
The defendants, Usman Aliyu and Babangida Aliyu, the first and second accused persons, made the admission on Thursday during cross-examination at the resumed hearing of the case.
Both men told the court that they made the audio-visual statements voluntarily. They also said they thumb-printed the written confessions in the presence of their counsel.
The DSS had tendered the statements, and the court admitted them in evidence.
Despite the admission, the defendants asked the court to forgive them and set them free. They had earlier pleaded for forgiveness when they opened their defence and testified for themselves. They face charges of conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms.
In a related case, the trial of two other defendants continued. They are accused of conspiracy, kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms. A prosecution witness identified them in court as the persons who allegedly kidnapped him for ransom in Imo State on October 4, 2026.
At the close of Thursday’s proceedings, the trial judge, Justice Emeka Orafu, adjourned both cases until November 6 for continuation.
