The Edo State Police Command has arrested three members of the gang that abducted brothers; Dr. Ibrahim Abu and Tahir Abu, the police confirmed on Sunday.
According to a statement by the command’s spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police Eno Ikoedem, the arrests were made on two separate occasions.
The first arrest occurred on February 3, 2026, when operatives of the Auchi Division, working with local hunters and vigilante groups, intercepted Saminu Kawujie at Warake Forest following intelligence leads.
Items recovered from him included two knives, two mobile phones, a UBA ATM card, and N20,250.
The Abu brothers were kidnapped on January 2, 2026, around 7:30 pm, at the gate of their residence along City Pride Road, Igbira Camp in Auchi, Etsako West LGA.
The kidnappers demanded a ransom of N200 million, killing the younger brother, Tahir, while insisting on N100 million for the release of Babatunde.
Reports indicate that a hefty ransom was paid before Babatunde’s release.
Following an identification parade, Saminu Kawujie was confirmed as one of the abductors.
The two other suspects, Idris Abubakar and Sani Abubakar, were arrested at the Auchi General Hospital, where Dr. Abu works.
One suspect had brought his daughter for medical care, during which Dr. Abu identified them as members of the gang.
Local security operatives were alerted immediately, and the suspects were handed over to the police.
The police said both Idris and Sani were identified as part of the gang, with Idris specifically noted as the individual who received ransom money for Dr. Babatunde’s release.
The suspects are now detained at the Auchi Divisional Police Station for further investigation.
The statement added that efforts are ongoing to dismantle the entire criminal network responsible for kidnappings in Auchi and its environs.
Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, reassured the public of the command’s commitment to resolving all kidnapping cases and bringing perpetrators to justice.
