Edo Police Detain Three Individuals Linked to Doctors' Kidnapping

The Edo State Police Command reported the arrest of three individuals suspected of being involved in the kidnapping of two doctors, Dr. Ibrahim Babatunde Abu and his brother Tahir Abu. According to a statement issued by the police spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police Eno Ikoedem, the arrests occurred during separate operations. The first key arrest took place on February 3, 2026, when officers from the Auchi Division, alongside local hunters and vigilante groups, engaged in a routine operation at Warake Forest and apprehended a suspect named Saminu Kawujie.

During the apprehension, police recovered several items, including two knives, two mobile phones, an ATM card from UBA, and N20,250 in cash. The Abu brothers were reportedly kidnapped on January 2, 2026, around 7:30 pm, outside their home on City Pride Road, Igbira Camp, located in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area. The abductors initially demanded a ransom of N200 million and, following the murder of Tahir, insisted on N100 million for Babatunde's release. A significant sum was reportedly paid before Babatunde was freed. Ikoedem mentioned that an identification parade was conducted where Kawujie was recognized as one of the abductors of Dr. Abu Babatunde.

Two additional suspects, Idris Abubakar and Sani Abubakar, were apprehended at Auchi General Hospital where Dr. Abu practices. It was reported that one of these suspects had taken his daughter for treatment when Dr. Abu identified them as members of the gang that had abducted him and killed his brother. Following this recognition, Dr. Abu promptly notified local security agents, who arrested the suspects and turned them over to the police.

Currently, these suspects are being held at the Auchi Divisional Police Station for ongoing investigations. A police statement noted: "On 08/02/2026 at approximately 0900 hours, the Divisional Police Officer, acting on a lead related to the case, dispatched officers to the Specialist Hospital in Auchi, where Idris Abubakar and Sani Abubakar were arrested. Both have been identified as part of the gang that abducted Dr. Babatunde on January 2, 2026, with Idris specifically linked to the ransom collection for Dr. Abu's release."

Ikoedem further emphasized that efforts are underway to carry out a thorough investigation to dismantle the organized criminal network responsible for the kidnappings in Auchi and the surrounding areas. The Commissioner of Police for Edo State, Monday Agbonika, assured the public of the police force's commitment to pursuing all kidnapping-related cases to their conclusion and ensuring that those responsible face justice.