Imo NYSC kidnap: Bus driver, witness identify five suspects in court

The driver of a bus conveying 20 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who were abducted in Imo State on October 1, has identified five suspects arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) as those allegedly involved in the attack.

The driver, who testified before the Imo State High Court sitting in Mgbidi on Friday, identified the defendants as members of the gang that attacked the vehicle and abducted the prospective corps members.

Another prosecution witness, Mr Light Timothy, also told the court that he saw two of the defendants carrying AK-47 rifles shortly after the incident along the Owerri-Mgbidi-Onitsha Expressway.

The witnesses gave their testimonies at the resumed trial of the five defendants, who are facing allegations bordering on conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms.

The driver, who appeared as the third prosecution witness, told the court that the first defendant was the person who initially approached his bus with an AK-47 rifle before allegedly marching the 20 prospective corps members into a nearby bush.

Timothy said he sighted the first and second defendants shortly after the abduction and subsequently identified them during an identification parade at the DSS office in Imo State.

During cross-examination, defence counsel requested the driver’s identity card.

The trial judge, Justice Emeka Orafu, examined the document and confirmed that the colour photograph on it bore a resemblance to the witness.

The court subsequently admitted the testimonies of both witnesses and the driver’s identity card in evidence.

Justice Orafu adjourned the trial until November 3, 4, 5 and 6, 2026, for continuation of hearing.

Bar & Bench Watch reports that the case followed the abduction of 20 prospective NYSC members travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their assigned orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.

The victims were travelling in two 18-seater buses when armed men attacked them near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State at about 6.30am on October 1, Nigeria’s Independence Day.

The attack occurred along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway, with the gunmen reportedly forcing the passengers into the bush.

Ten victims were initially rescued, while the remaining abductees were taken away.

The incident triggered a coordinated search-and-rescue operation involving the DSS, the military and the police.

On October 7, the 20 prospective corps members and a civilian were rescued from the Amakohia-Ubi forest in Owerri West Local Government Area.

They were subsequently taken to the DSS hospital in Owerri for medical attention.

Following the rescue, security operatives intensified efforts to track down the suspected kidnappers.

Five suspects were eventually arrested during intelligence-led operations conducted between October 10 and 14 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Aba, Abia State.

The operations were led by the DSS in collaboration with the military, police and other security personnel.

Three other suspected members of the gang reportedly escaped with gunshot injuries during the operations, prompting a manhunt for them and other fleeing members of the group.

The DSS subsequently arraigned five suspects before the Imo State High Court over allegations connected with the abduction of the corps members and other kidnapping incidents.

The defendants face allegations including conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms.

The prosecution also accused some of them of possessing AK-47 rifles, a pistol, magazines and live ammunition.

The trial is expected to continue with further prosecution evidence.