Two men standing trial over the alleged abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members have denied any role in the crime and asked the court to forgive and free them.
Usman Aliyu and Babangida Aliyu began their defence on Wednesday. Testifying as the first defence witness, Usman told the court he had no involvement in the abduction. He said security operatives arrested him while he was on his way to his shop in Ana, Abia State. He was not told the reason for his arrest until the following day, when he was accused of kidnapping.
Usman said he later made a statement to the Department of State Services that was interpreted into Hausa before he thumb-printed it. Led in evidence by his counsel, Mr Paschal Oforma, he pleaded for forgiveness and his release.
Under cross-examination by prosecution counsel Mr Ekezie Nwauzor, Usman said the shop he occupied belonged to his elder brother, Umar Mohamed, who lives in Oyo State. He told the court he had evidence on his phone of payment for a self-contained apartment in Ariara, Ana. He identified Ibrahim and Mohammed as his co-tenants and Chinedu as his landlord. Usman acknowledged that he appeared in an audio-visual recording in which he narrated his alleged involvement in the crime, but he denied being identified during an identification parade.
The second defendant, Babangida Aliyu, said he lived in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he sold noodles, bread and tea. DSS operatives arrested him on a Saturday evening at his shop in the Oil Mill area. He denied knowing the first defendant or taking part in the abduction of the prospective corps members. He also pleaded for forgiveness and release, saying he has a wife and child to care for.
During cross-examination, Babangida could not name the street where his shop was located. He said he bought the shop from one Bello, an indigene of Kebbi State, but admitted he had no documents to prove ownership. He confirmed that his statement was taken in the presence of his lawyer and recorded on video. He further acknowledged appearing in a video in which he narrated events surrounding the abduction of the NYSC members.
The case was adjourned until Friday, November 6, 2026, for continuation of hearing.
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