Suspects arrested over abduction of corps members admit confessional statements as they beg court for forgiveness

Two men standing trial over the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo State have confirmed that they voluntarily made the written and recorded confessional statements presented against them by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Usman Aliyu and Babangida Aliyu, the first and second defendants, made the admissions during cross-examination at the resumed hearing on Thursday. They nevertheless asked the court to forgive them and release them.

Both men acknowledged making the audio-visual statements voluntarily and placing their thumbprints on the written statements in the presence of their counsel.

The DSS tendered the statements, which the court admitted as evidence. Earlier, while opening their defence and testifying on their own behalf, the defendants had appealed for forgiveness. They face charges of conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms.

In a separate case, proceedings continued against two defendants charged with conspiracy, kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms. A prosecution witness identified the defendants as the people who allegedly abducted him for ransom in Imo State on October 4, 2026. At the conclusion of Thursday’s proceedings, Justice Emeka Orafu adjourned both cases until November 6 for continuation.