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Two suspects standing trial over the abduction of 20 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Imo State have admitted making the confessional statements tendered by the Department of State Services (DSS) before the court.
The defendants, Usman Aliyu and Babangida Aliyu, the first and second defendants, respectively, also pleaded for forgiveness during proceedings at the Imo State High Court, yesterday.
During cross-examination, both men admitted making the audio-visual confessional statements and thumb-printing the written statements in the presence of their counsel. The DSS had tendered the statements as evidence, and the court admitted them.
Earlier, during their evidence-in-chief, the defendants appealed to the court to forgive them and set them free in the case involving charges of conspiracy, hostage-taking, and unlawful possession of firearms.
Both defendants opened their defence by testifying for themselves, confirming that they voluntarily made the written and audio-visual statements.
In a related case, the trial of two other defendants facing charges of conspiracy, kidnapping, and unlawful possession of firearms continued, yesterday.
A prosecution witness identified the two defendants as the men who allegedly abducted him for ransom in the state on October 4, 2026.
At the end of the proceedings, the trial judge, Justice Emeka Orafu, adjourned both cases until today for continuation.
