The driver of the bus conveying 20 potential National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members kidnapped in Imo State on Independence Day has recognized 5 suspects standing trial over the incident as the boys who allegedly attacked his automobile and took the passengers hostage.
The driver, who testified because the third prosecution witness earlier than the Imo State High Court sitting in Mgbidi on Friday, advised the court docket that he recognised the primary defendant as the one that initially approached the bus whereas carrying an AK-47 rifle.
He additional recognized the identical defendant as the one that allegedly marched the 20 potential corps members into a close-by bush after the assault.
Another prosecution witness, Mr Light Timothy additionally advised the court docket that he sighted two of the 5 defendants carrying AK-47 rifles shortly after the kidnapping.
Timothy stated he subsequently recognized the primary and second defendants as members of the gang that attacked the bus throughout an identification parade performed on the DSS state workplace.
Both witnesses maintained their accounts throughout examination-in-chief and cross-examination, linking the defendants to the alleged conspiracy, hostage-taking and illegal possession of firearms.
During cross-examination, defence counsel requested the identification card of the bus driver to ascertain his identification.
Recall that every one suspects had been arrested by the DSS and arraigned in court docket weeks in the past.
The trial choose, Justice Emeka Orafu, examined the doc and noticed that the color {photograph} on the identification card bore a powerful resemblance to the witness.
The testimonies of the 2 witnesses and the motive force’s identification card had been subsequently admitted as proof by the court docket.
The 5 defendants are being prosecuted over the kidnapping of the 20 potential NYSC members alongside the Owerri-Mgbidi-Onitsha Expressway on October 1.
At the conclusion of Friday’s proceedings, Justice Orafu adjourned the case till November 3, 4, 5 and 6, 2026, for continuation of listening to.
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