The Edo State Police Command has achieved a major breakthrough in the investigation of the high-profile kidnapping of Dr. Abu Babatunde, following a series of arrests in Auchi and surrounding communities.
The command stated that it is committed to dismantling the organized criminal network responsible for a string of kidnappings in the area, signaling renewed hope for safety and justice.
According to a statement released on Sunday by ASP Eno Ikoedem, Police Public Relations Officer for the Edo State Command, operatives from the Auchi Division, working in collaboration with local hunters and vigilante groups, successfully apprehended a suspect, Saminu Kawujie ‘M’, during a bush-combing operation in Warake Forest on February 3, 2026.
During the search, officers recovered “two knives, two mobile phones, one UBA ATM card, and the sum of Twenty Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty Naira (₦20,250.00),” items believed to be connected to the kidnapping.
An identification parade later confirmed that Kawujie was “one of the abductors of Dr. Abu Babatunde.”
This arrest was quickly followed by additional breakthroughs. On February 8, acting on a credible tip-off, Edo Police apprehended two more suspects, Idris Abubakar ‘M’ and Sani Abubakar ‘M’, at the Specialist Hospital in Auchi at around 9:00 a.m.
Both men were identified as key members of the gang that orchestrated the January 2, 2026, abduction of Dr. Babatunde.
Police specifically noted that Idris Abubakar was the individual who received ransom payments for the doctor’s release.
The suspects were reportedly arrested in a dramatic turn of events after bringing their children to the hospital for medical treatment.
Dr. Babatunde, who works at the same facility, reportedly recognized the men upon seeing them in the ward.
“The kidnappers brought their children to the same hospital where the doctor works for treatment on Tuesday night, only for Dr. Tunde to walk into the ward and recognize them,” a source familiar with the investigation said.
Read also: Kidnapping in Auchi: Younger brother killed, elder sibling still held
Following this recognition, the suspects were immediately taken into police custody.
Dr. Abu Babatunde’s ordeal began on January 2, 2026, when he and his younger brother, Abu Tahir, were abducted at their residence on City Pride Road, Igbira Camp, Auchi, while opening the gate to their compound.
Tragically, the body of his younger brother was discovered on January 5 near Orley River along City Pride Road, suggesting he had been killed by the kidnappers.
The Edo Police have emphasized that the kidnapping was not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of organized criminal activity in the region.
The command is conducting a comprehensive and discreet investigation aimed at dismantling the entire network responsible for kidnappings in Auchi and its environs.
“Edo Police remain committed to ensuring that perpetrators of kidnapping and other violent crimes are brought to justice,” the statement said.
Following the abduction, Dr. Babatunde was eventually released on January 15, after his family paid a ransom of ₦50 million in two installments: ₦20 million and ₦30 million.
The funds were reportedly raised through the combined efforts of family members, friends, non-governmental organizations, and other well-wishers.
Despite the financial cost, the recovery of Dr. Babatunde has provided a measure of relief to the family and the community.
A video released on Sunday shows two men in handcuffs, identified as the suspects involved in the kidnapping, seated inside what appears to be a police charge room.
The footage has been shared widely and is seen as a tangible indication of Edo Police’s ongoing efforts to combat violent crime in the state.
The arrests of Kawujie, Idris Abubakar, and Sani Abubakar demonstrate the effectiveness of Edo Police’s coordinated approach, which combines intelligence gathering, community collaboration, and tactical operations.
Local hunters and vigilante groups were instrumental in providing critical information that led to the suspects’ apprehension.
Dr. Babatunde, a recent medical graduate who had not yet started his housemanship at the time of the kidnapping, was abducted alongside his brother in a manner that shocked the Auchi community.
While his brother Ibrahim was tragically killed, Dr. Babatunde’s eventual release underscores the critical role of police intervention and community cooperation in resolving kidnapping cases.
The Edo State Police Command has reiterated its commitment to pursuing all leads in the case, emphasizing that further arrests are likely as investigations continue.
The command’s efforts have been praised by community leaders and residents who have long expressed concern over the rise of violent crime in the area.
As the investigation unfolds, Edo Police continue to assure the public that they are leaving no stone unturned in identifying and prosecuting all individuals connected to the kidnapping.
Authorities stress that the operation is part of a larger strategy to restore public confidence, ensure safety, and dismantle criminal networks that have plagued Auchi and surrounding regions for years.
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