A commercial driver conveying prospective National Youth Service Corps members whose vehicle was intercepted during an October 1 abduction has testified that he had no prior knowledge that two of his passengers were carrying AK-47 rifles in a luggage bag. The testimony emerged on Friday as the Department of State Services presented two witnesses in suit number HOU/22C/2026, instituted against Usman Aliyu, Mohamed Aliyu, and Babangida Ali over the kidnapping of 20 young graduates traveling to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
Led in evidence by Principal State Counsel Mr. Ekezie Nwauzor, the second prosecution witness, a commercial motorcyclist named Light Timothy, detailed how the first and second defendants hired him to transport them to a remote location to meet their accomplices. Timothy told the court he remained unaware of the bag's contents until they arrived at an isolated destination where the assault weapons were extracted.
What did the witnesses tell the court?
According to Timothy, one of the passengers communicated in Hausa or Fulani during a phone call, directing the rider along the Umuguma-Okuku Road in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State. He recalled feeling terrified and attempting to turn back, shortly before four men emerged from the brush, seized the bag, and revealed the firearms. Timothy stated he narrowly escaped execution for his delay on the road only after one of the suspects interceded on his behalf, allowing him to speed away from the scene.
Meanwhile, the third prosecution witness, Sunday Udoh, a driver for the Akwa Ibom Transport Company, testified that he and another driver, Jeremiah, were transporting corps members from Ibadan to their designated orientation camps. After a stopover in Onitsha, they departed at 5:30 a.m. on October 1, 2026. Udoh explained that while driving toward Owerri shortly after passing a security checkpoint, he noticed two stationary mini-buses obstructing the route. Sensing immediate danger, he attempted to reverse, but his vehicle collided with an obstacle behind them, rendering it immobile. Udoh switched off the engine, fled across the highway, and concealed himself in nearby vegetation to observe developments.
How did the court proceedings conclude for the day?
During the proceedings, Udoh positively identified Usman Aliyu as one of the assailants. He testified that the abductors marched five passengers from his bus and fifteen from Jeremiah's vehicle into the surrounding forest.
Following extensive cross-examination of both witnesses by defense counsel Paschal Ofoma, the presiding judge, Justice Emeka Orafu, adjourned the judicial proceedings for further hearing until November 3, 2026. The high- profile trial continues to draw significant public attention given the involvement of prospective corps members and the deployment of security agency witnesses.