The driver of the bus conveying the 20 potential members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) kidnapped in Imo State on Independence Day has recognized 5 suspects arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) because the individuals who allegedly attacked the bus and kidnapped the passengers.
Another prosecution witness, Mr Light Timothy, additionally advised the Imo State High Court that he noticed two of the 5 suspects wielding AK-47 rifles shortly after the kidnapping alongside the Owerri–Mgbidi–Onitsha Expressway.
The witnesses gave their testimonies on Friday on the resumed trial of the 5 suspected kidnappers.
Both witnesses maintained throughout their evidence-in-chief and cross-examination that they noticed the defendants allegedly commit the offences of conspiracy, hostage-taking and illegal possession of arms.
The bus driver, who testified because the third prosecution witness, advised the court docket that he might clearly determine the primary defendant as the one that initially approached his bus on the day of the assault, clutching an AK-47 rifle.
He additionally advised the court docket that the primary defendant was the particular person he noticed marching the 20 potential corps members into a close-by bush after taking them hostage.
In his testimony, Timothy mentioned that, apart from sighting the primary and second defendants after the kidnapping, he additionally recognized each males as those that attacked the bus throughout an identification parade performed on the DSS state workplace.
During cross-examination, defence counsel requested the bus driver’s id card.
The trial decide, Justice Emeka Orafu, confirmed that the color {photograph} on the id card introduced by the motive force regarded very very similar to him.
Thereafter, the testimonies of each witnesses, alongside the motive force’s id card, had been admitted in proof.
Justice Orafu adjourned the trial to November 3, 4, 5 and 6, 2026, for continuation of listening to.
