Suspected kidnappers who abducted a medical doctor in Auchi, Edo, and m*rdered his younger brother have been arrested after they were allegedly identified by their victim at the hospital where he works.
Sources disclosed that the suspects were apprehended after they reportedly brought their children to the same hospital for medical treatment, only for the kidnapped doctor, Dr. Abu Ibrahim Babatunde, to walk into the ward and recognise them.
Reports say that the incident occurred on Tuesday night when the suspects visited the hospital.
Upon their identification by Dr. Babatunde, they were reportedly taken into police custody.
“The kidnappers brought their children to the same hospital where the doctor works for treatment. When Dr. Tunde walked into the ward, he recognised them,” a source familiar with the development said.
Recall that Dr. Babatunde was abducted alongside his younger brother, Abu Tahir, on January 2, 2026, at their residence on City Pride Road, Igbira Camp, Auchi, while they were opening the gate to their compound.
Tragedy struck three days later when the body of Abu Tahir was discovered on January 5 near Orley River, along City Pride Road, Igbira Camp. He was reportedly k!lled by the abductors.
A video that went viral on Sunday shows two men in handcuffs seated inside what appeared to be a police charge room, while a voice in the background identified them as suspects involved in the kidnapping.
It would also be recalled that Dr. Babatunde, who had recently graduated from medical school and was yet to commence his housemanship, was later released by the kidnappers after the payment of ransom, while his brother was k!lled.
On January 15, it was reported that the doctor regained his freedom after his family paid a ransom of ₦50 million to the abductors.
Speaking at the time, the victim’s father disclosed that the ransom was paid in two tranches of ₦20 million and ₦30 million, raised through the collective efforts of family members, non-governmental organisations, friends and other well-wishers.
“My son has been released by the kidnappers after we paid ₦50 million. I feel relieved that he has been released, but I also lost another son,” the bereaved father lamented.
He further revealed that Dr. Babatunde sustained a gunshot injury to the leg during his captivity and was receiving medical treatment.
The father added that vigilantes and hunters who laid an ambush for the kidnappers before his release informed the family that one of the suspects also sustained gunshot wounds.
“The family, organisations, friends and well-wishers contributed the ₦50 million ransom. My son was brushed by a bullet, but he is currently receiving treatment at a hospital,” he said.
However, the Edo State Police Command, in a press statement issued on Sunday evening, said the suspects were arrested during intelligence-led operations in Auchi and its environs.
The statement, signed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Moses Yamu, stated that operatives, while conducting a routine bush-combing operation in collaboration with local hunters and vigilante groups at Warake Forest, following credible intelligence on February 3, 2026, intercepted one Saminu Kawujie, male.
According to the police, a search conducted on the suspect led to the recovery of two knives, two mobile phones, one UBA Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card and the sum of ₦20,250.
The command added that an identification parade was subsequently conducted at the police station, during which the suspect was identified as one of those involved in the abduction of Dr. Abu Babatunde.
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