The Edo State Police Command, has arrested four suspected kidnappers who were allegedly involved in the abduction of an Edo medical doctor, Ibrahim Babatunde Tahir and his brother Abu Tahir in Auchi, Etsako West local government area of the state.
Two of the suspects were apprehended after they took their children to the same hospital, where their victim works for medical treatment. The kidnapped doctor walked in and recognised them.
A statement by spokesman of the Edo State Police Command, Eno Ikoedem, said that the two others were arrested by the police in collaboration with local hunters and vigilante groups, at Warake Forest following a lead on an intelligence mission.
It added:“The first breakthrough came on 3/2/2026, operatives of the Auchi Division, while conducting a routine bush-combing operation in collaboration with local hunters and vigilante groups, at Warake Forest following a lead on an intelligence, intercepted one Saminu Kawujie ‘M’, and a search conducted on the suspect led to the recovery of two (2) knives, two (2) mobile phones, one (1) UBA ATM card, and the sum of Twenty Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty Naira (₦20,250.00).
An identification parade was conducted at the Police station and he was identified by one of the abductors of Dr Abu Babatunde Tahir.”
“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 January 2, this year.
Idris Abubakar was identified as the particular person who received ransom money for the release of Dr. Abu.
The statement added:“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.”
The victims were kidnapped on January 2 at Auchi, while the younger brother to the doctor , Abu Tahir was killed by the abductors on January 5.
Dr Ibrahim Tahir was released on January 15, after his family paid a ransom of ₦50 million to the kidnappers.