Abductors of Medical Doctor, Brother Demand N200m Ransom

Felix Omoh-Asun in Benin 

A ransom of N200 million has been placed on the head of a medical doctor, Abu Ibrahim Babatunde and his brother Abu Tahir, who were reportedly kidnapped in Auchi, Edo State recently.

A source close to the family said the kidnappers contacted the victims’ relations on Saturday, demanding N200 million to effect their release.

He said negotiation to beat the ransom down is still ongoing between the victims’ family and their abductors.

The Edo State Police Command spokesperson, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said she was not aware of the ransom demand.

The two brothers were kidnapped on January 1, 2026, along City Pride Road, Igbira Camp, Auchi, the administrative headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area.

Abu Ibrahim, a medical doctor, who is currently undergoing housemanship at the Edo State Teaching Hospital, Auchi, was returning home after close of work with his brother, Tahir, when they were kidnapped.

Sources said the victims arrived at their residence at about 7:30 p.m. and Tahir had stepped out of the vehicle to open the gate when the gunmen who were reportedly laid ambush, abducted the brothers at gunpoint and whisked them into the bush.

The Edo State Police Command spokesperson, ASP Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the incident, saying the command received a distress call at about 8:30 p.m. on January 2, 2026, reporting the abduction.

She said operatives were immediately deployed to the scene, while a coordinated manhunt involving the police, local vigilantes, forest guards, and Community Safety Partnership Volunteers familiar with the terrain was launched.

She said aggressive search-and-rescue operations have been ongoing in the surrounding forest since the incident, with efforts focused on rescuing the victims and apprehending the perpetrators.

Ikoedem assured that the command would leave no stone unturned to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted brothers.