The driver of the bus conveying 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted in Imo State has identified five men standing trial over the incident as those allegedly involved in the attack.

He made the identification on Friday while testifying as the third prosecution witness before the Imo State High Court sitting in Mgbidi.

The driver told the court that he recognised the first defendant as the armed man who approached his bus with an AK-47 rifle during the attack and subsequently led the 20 prospective corps members into a nearby bush.

Another prosecution witness, Light Timothy, also told the court that he saw two of the defendants carrying AK-47 rifles shortly after the abduction along the Owerri-Mgbidi-Onitsha expressway.

Timothy said he later identified the first and second defendants as members of the attacking gang during an identification parade conducted at the state office of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Both witnesses maintained their accounts during cross-examination by defence lawyers.

During proceedings, defence counsel requested the bus driver’s identity card. Presiding judge, Justice Emeka Orafu, examined the document and confirmed that the photograph on it bore a strong resemblance to the witness.

The testimonies of the two witnesses and the driver’s identity card were subsequently admitted in evidence.

The five defendants are Mohammed Ali, Usman Aliyu, Babangida Aliyu, Ibrahim Jiji and Aminu Haliru.

They were arraigned by the DSS over the abduction of 20 prospective corps members and a civilian. The charges include conspiracy to commit hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms.

Suspects were also accused of possessing three AK-47 rifles, four magazines, a pistol and 81 rounds of live ammunition.

The incident occurred on October 1, when gunmen attacked two 18-seater buses conveying passengers from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.

The attack happened around 6:30am near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.

Ten victims were rescued shortly after the incident, while the remaining abductees were freed on October 7 during a joint operation involving the DSS, military and police at Amakohia-Ubi forest.

Five suspects were subsequently arrested in Rivers and Abia states between October 10 and 14, while three other suspects reportedly escaped during the security operations.

Justice Orafu adjourned the case to November 3, 4, 5 and 6 for continuation of the hearing.