Picture: The suspects
A commercial motorcycle operator has told a court that he unknowingly transported two suspected kidnappers of prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, only to discover later that they were carrying AK-47 rifles.
The motorcycle rider, identified as Mr Light Timothy, gave the account while testifying as the second prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of three men accused of kidnapping 20 prospective corps members in Imo State.
The suspects, Usman Aliyu, Mohamed Aliyu and Babangida Ali, are facing trial in Suit No. HOU/22C/2026 over the October 1, 2026 abduction of the graduates who were travelling to their NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
Led in evidence by the Principal State Counsel, Mr Ekezie Nwauzor, Timothy narrated how the first and second defendants hired him to convey them to a location where their alleged accomplices were waiting.
According to him, the two passengers were carrying a bag, but he had no idea what was inside until they arrived at an isolated location along the Umuguma-Okuku Road in Owerri West Local Government Area.
He told the court that one of the passengers made a phone call and spoke in an intonation that sounded Hausa or Fulani before the person on the other end directed them to take the road.
Timothy said fear gripped him as they approached the lonely area, prompting him to consider turning back.
However, shortly afterwards, four men suddenly emerged from the bush, collected the bag, opened it and brought out AK-47 rifles.
He further testified that he narrowly escaped being killed after one of the men pleaded on his behalf, following which he quickly rode away.
In a related testimony, the third prosecution witness, Mr Sunday Udoh, a driver with Akwa Ibom Transport Company, narrated how the prospective corps members were abducted.
Udoh told the court that he and another driver, identified as Jeremiah, were conveying NYSC members from Ibadan to their respective orientation camps.
He said they had stopped over in Onitsha before departing at about 5:30 a.m. on October 1, 2026.
According to him, shortly after passing a checkpoint while travelling towards Owerri, he noticed two stationary minibuses.
Sensing danger, he attempted to reverse his vehicle but hit an object behind, leaving the vehicle stuck.
Udoh said he switched off the engine, ran across the highway and hid in nearby bushes, from where he watched the unfolding incident.
He identified Usman Aliyu as one of the attackers and told the court that the kidnappers took away five passengers from his bus and another 15 from Jeremiah’s vehicle into the bush.
Following the cross-examination of both witnesses by defence counsel, Paschal Ofoma, Justice Emeka Orafu adjourned the case until November 3, 2026, for further hearing.
Tags: #NYSC #ImoKidnap #Security
