Suspected kidnappers who abducted a medical doctor in Auchi, Edo State, and killed his younger brother have been arrested after the doctor allegedly identified them at the hospital where he works.
Sources said the suspects brought their children for treatment at the facility on Tuesday night, unaware that their former victim, Dr. Abu Ibrahim Babatunde, was on duty.
“The kidnappers brought their children to the same hospital where the doctor works, only for him to walk into the ward and recognise them,” a source familiar with the incident said. The suspects were immediately taken into police custody.
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.
The body of his brother was later found on January 5 near Orley River along the same road. He was reportedly killed by the abductors.
Babatunde was released on January 15 after his family paid a N50 million ransom raised through contributions from relatives, friends, NGOs and well-wishers.
His father had disclosed that the ransom was paid in two instalments of N20 million and N30 million. The doctor also sustained a gunshot injury to the leg during captivity and was receiving treatment after regaining freedom.
Vigilantes who reportedly tracked the kidnappers had earlier informed the family that one of the suspects sustained gunshot wounds during an encounter before the victim’s release.
A video circulating online shows two men in handcuffs inside what appears to be a police charge room, identified as the suspects linked to the kidnapping.
