Police Confirm Arrest of Suspected Kidnappers of Edo Doctors at State University Teaching Hospital

ByEditor

Feb 8, 2026 #Auchi kidnapping suspects, #Dr Abu Babatunde, #Edo doctors kidnapping, #Edo Police arrests, #Edo State University Teaching Hospital, #Nigeria kidnapping investigation

Matilda Omonaiye/

The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of suspected members of the gang responsible for the abduction of Dr Abu Babatunde, a medical doctor at the Edo State University Teaching Hospital, Iyamho, in Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.

The confirmation was contained in an update issued on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, who said the arrests followed sustained intelligence-led operations in Auchi and surrounding communities.

According to the police, the first suspect, identified as Saminu Kawujie, was arrested on February 3 during a bush-combing operation at Warake Forest.

The operation was carried out by operatives of the Auchi Division in collaboration with local hunters and vigilante groups, acting on credible intelligence.

Items recovered from the suspect included two knives, two mobile phones, a UBA automated teller machine card, and the sum of N20,250.

An identification parade was later conducted, during which the suspect was identified as one of those involved in the abduction of Dr Babatunde.

Further arrests were recorded today, when police operatives apprehended two additional suspects, Idris Abubakar and Sani Abubakar, at the Teaching Hospital.

The police said both men were identified as members of the same gang that carried out the kidnapping on January 2 2026.

Investigators disclosed that Idris Abubakar was specifically identified as the individual who received the ransom paid for Dr Babatunde’s release.

Dr Babatunde, who survived the ordeal, works at the Edo State University Teaching Hospital in Iyamho, a major referral centre serving Edo North and neighbouring communities.

The police said investigations are ongoing, with efforts intensified to dismantle the wider criminal network responsible for kidnappings in Auchi and its environs.

The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Monday Agbonika, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to pursuing all kidnapping cases to a logical conclusion.

He assured residents that aggressive bush-combing operations and intelligence-led policing would continue across the state.

Members of the public were also encouraged to report suspicious activities through the police emergency and complaint lines provided by the command.