NYSC Kidnap: Suspects admit confessions, plead for forgiveness

Two men standing trial over the October 1 kidnapping of 20 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Imo State on Thursday admitted making written and audio-visual confessional statements tendered before the court by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The defendants, Usman Aliyu and Babangida Aliyu, the first and second accused persons respectively, however, pleaded with the court to forgive them and grant them their freedom.

At the resumed hearing, both defendants opened their defence by testifying before the court. During cross-examination, they admitted making the audio-visual confessional statements and thumb-printing their written statements in the presence of their counsel.

The statements were subsequently tendered by the DSS and admitted in evidence by the court.

Earlier, while giving their evidence-in-chief, the defendants had appealed to the court for forgiveness, urging it to set them free in the case involving allegations of conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms.

In a related proceeding, the trial of two other defendants accused of conspiracy, kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms continued, with a prosecution witness identifying them as the persons who allegedly kidnapped him for ransom in the state on October 4, 2026.

At the conclusion of Thursday’s proceedings, the trial judge, Justice Emeka Orafu, adjourned both cases until November 6 for continuation.