Two men standing trial over the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members in Imo State have admitted making written and audio-visual confessional statements tendered by the Department of State Services.

The defendants, Usman Aliyu and Babangida Aliyu, however, pleaded with the court to forgive them and set them free.

At the resumed hearing, the first and second defendants said under cross-examination that they voluntarily made the audio-visual statements and thumb-printed the written confessions in the presence of their counsel.

The DSS tendered the materials, and the court admitted them as evidence in the trial.

The men are facing charges of conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms over the Independence Day abduction of the prospective corps members.

While opening their defence, both defendants denied involvement in the kidnapping but acknowledged appearing in recordings in which they narrated circumstances surrounding the incident.