In a dramatic turn of events, suspected kidnappers were arrested on February 8, 2026, at the Specialist Hospital in Auchi, Edo State, after bringing a sick child for medical treatment. The suspects reportedly did not realize that the attending doctor, Dr. Abu Ibrahim Babatunde, was the same man they had kidnapped weeks earlier.
According to reports, Dr. Babatunde immediately recognized the men—identified as Idris Abubakar and Sani Abubakar—and alerted authorities. His identification led to their arrest at the hospital. The case traces back to January 2, 2026, when Dr. Babatunde and his younger brother, Tahir Abu, a newly qualified medical doctor, were abducted while returning home.
Dr. Babatunde was later released after a reported ransom of ₦50 million was paid. Tragically, his brother Tahir did not survive captivity and was killed by the abductors, a development that sparked outrage and grief among colleagues and the wider public.
The Edo State Police Command confirmed the arrests and disclosed that another suspect connected to the crime, Saminu Kawujie, had been apprehended earlier in a nearby forest. Police say investigations are ongoing to uncover the full network behind the kidnapping.
The incident has generated intense reactions online. While many see the arrest as a rare moment where justice caught up with criminals, others remain critical, pointing to broader concerns about insecurity and the perceived weakness of Nigeria’s justice system.
