Two suspects linked to the fatal abductions of two medical doctors, have been arrested by police operaticed at Auchi General Hospital in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.
Dr Ibrahim Tahir was kidnapped alongside his younger brother, Abu Babatunde, while opening the gate at City Pride road, Igbira Camp, Auchi residence after the day’s work on January 5th 2026.
Tragically, the younger brother’s body was found near Orley River, along City Pride Road, Igbira Camp, on January 5, while his brother, Abu Babatunde was held back until the sum of N50 million ransom that was paid into two tranches by members of his family to secure his freedom from captivity.
After his release, Dr Abu underwent treatment at Auchi General hospital for weeks, but in a surprise twist, two of the kidnappers stormed the Hospital to see an in-patient when he was identified and caught by security operatives.
Spokesperson of the Nigeria police Command in Edo State, SP. Eno Ikoedem who confirmed the arrest of the suspects on Sunday in a statement, identified the arrested male suspects as Idris Abubakar ‘and Sani Abubakar and credited the Divisional Police Officer, Auchi for the milestone.
The arrest, according to the statement, followed a lead on the same case mobilized operatives to the Specialist Hospital, Auchi, where the suspects have also been identified as part of the gang that abducted Dr. Babatunde last month.
Ikoedem said Idris Abubakar was identified as the particular person who received ransom money for the release of Dr. Abu, according to police, which first breakthrough came on February 3rd 2026 when operatives of the Auchi Division intercepted one Saminu Kawujie ‘M’.
“Similarly, on 08/02/2026 at about 0900hrs, the Divisional Police Officer following a lead on the same case mobilized operatives to the Specialist Hospital, Auchi, where two suspects identified as Idris Abubakar ‘M’ and Sani Abubakar ‘M’, were apprehended at the hospital premises.
“Both suspects have also been identified as part of the gang that abducted Dr. Babatunde on 02/01/2026.
“Idris Abubakar was identified as the particular person who received ransom money for the release of Dr. Abu”, part of the statement reads.
The statement further said a search conducted on the suspect, while conducting a routine bush-combing operation in collaboration with local hunters and vigilante groups, at Warake Forest, following a lead on an intelligence.
The statement revealed that two (2) knives, two (2) mobile phones, one (1) UBA Automated Teller Machine, ATM card, and the sum of Twenty Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty Naira (₦20,250.00) were recovered at from the criminal suspect.
An identification parade was conducted at the Police station and he was identified by as one of the abductors of Dr Abu Babatunde.
Responding to the developments, the Commissioner of Police in the State, CP Monday Agbonika, said, efforts have been intensified towards conducting a comprehensive and discreet investigation aimed at dismantling the entire notorious organized criminal network responsible for the kidnappings in Auchi and its environs.
