Suspected kidnappers who abducted a medical doctor in Auchi, Edo State, and allegedly killed his younger brother have been arrested after they took their sick children to the hospital where their victim works.
The suspects, apparently unaware of the status of their victim, took their sick children to the Specialist Hospital where he works in Auchi for treatment.
Their victim, Dr Abu Ibrahim Babatunde, who was released after his family paid a N50 million ransom, allegedly recognised them once he entered the children’s ward where the kidnappers’ children were being attended to.
Hospital authorities immediately alerted security personnel, leading to the suspects’ arrest and handover to the police.
Confirming the development, the spokesperson of the Edo State Police Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said the arrests followed ongoing investigations into the kidnapping case.
According to her, police had earlier made a breakthrough on February 3, 2026, when operatives of the Auchi Division, working with local hunters and vigilante groups during a bush-combing operation at Warake Forest, intercepted a suspect identified as Saminu Kawujie.
Items recovered from him included two knives, two mobile phones, a UBA ATM card and ₦20,250 in cash.
An identification parade was later conducted, during which the suspect was identified as one of those involved in the abduction of Dr. Babatunde.
ASP Ikoedem added that further arrests were made on February 8, 2026, at about 9:00 a.m., when police operatives, acting on fresh intelligence, moved to the Specialist Hospital, Auchi. Two additional suspects—Idris Abubakar and Sani Abubakar—were arrested at the hospital premises and identified as members of the same kidnapping gang.
She disclosed that Idris Abubakar was specifically identified as the person who received the ransom paid for Dr Babatunde’s release.
Dr Babatunde and his younger brother, Abu Tahir, were abducted on January 2, 2026, at their residence on City Pride Road, Igbira Camp, Auchi, while opening the gate to their compound.
Days later, the body of Abu Tahir was discovered on January 5 near Orley River, along City Pride Road. Police said he was killed by the abductors.
Dr Babatunde, who had recently completed medical school and was yet to begin his housemanship at the time of the incident, was later released after a ransom of ₦50 million was reportedly paid.
Police said investigations are ongoing and that the suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of inquiries.
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