Doctor Spots Alleged Kidnappers Who Abducted Him and Demanded ₦100m, at Edo Hospital

• Two suspected kidnappers were arrested at Edo State University Teaching Hospital after a doctor recognised them as part of the gang that abducted him and his brother in January.
• According to reports, the suspects had visited the hospital to check on a sick baby girl who was receiving treatment in the emergency ward.
• While carrying out his duties, Dr Ibrahim allegedly recognised them as members of the gang that abducted him and his brother earlier.

Two men suspected of kidnapping a medical doctor and his brother in Edo State have been arrested in a dramatic incident at the Edo State University Teaching Hospital, Auchi.

The suspects, identified as Idris Abubakar and Sani Abubakar, were arrested early Sunday after being recognised by the victim, Dr Abu Ibrahim, at the hospital where he works. This was confirmed in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem.

According to reports, the suspects had visited the hospital to check on a sick baby girl who was receiving treatment in the emergency ward. While carrying out his duties, Dr Ibrahim allegedly recognised them as members of the gang that abducted him and his brother earlier this year. He immediately alerted security operatives, leading to their arrest within the hospital premises.

The kidnapping incident occurred in January at Igbira Camp in Auchi, near a military barracks. Dr Ibrahim and his brother, Abu Tahir, were reportedly abducted and a ransom of ₦100 million was demanded. During the ordeal, Tahir was allegedly killed while trying to escape, while Dr Ibrahim was later released after a ransom running into millions of naira was paid.

Sources also revealed that before their arrest, the suspects had been seen moving around Auchi town with two individuals dressed in military uniforms, raising concerns among residents about insecurity in Edo North.

Community leaders, including Alhaji Rilwanu Bonvist Oshiobugie and the Daudu of Igbe, Chief Yekini Sado, described the arrests as a major breakthrough. They called for a thorough investigation to uncover other members of the kidnapping syndicate.

The leaders also commended Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, for his security efforts, noting that recent interventions are yielding results. Following the arrests, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to the State Police Command Headquarters for further investigation.