Kidnappers’ sudden meeting with previous victim lead to arrest
By Babajide Adekunle
The police have arrested two suspected kidnappers, in Auchi, Edo State, following a prompt from a one-time victim, a medical doctor identified as Abu Ibrahim Babatunde. The suspects had previously abducted Babatunde for ransom and, at the same time, killed his brother during the encounter.
In a twist of fate, the suspects had lately taken their sick child to a hospital, which incidentally turned out to be Dr. Babatunde’s workplace. The medical doctor instantly recognized his former assailants and promptly informed the law enforcement.
Speaking on the arrest, the Edo State Police Command states that the two suspects, named Idris Abubakar ‘M’ and Sani Abubakar (M) were involved in the crime. The command’s spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent Eno Ikoedem, identified Abubakar as the one who received the ransom for Babatunde’s release.
She said, “Both suspects have also been identified as part of the gang that abducted Dr. Babatunde on 02/01/2026. Idris Abubakar was identified as the particular person who received ransom money for the release of Dr. Abu.” Ikoedem adds the police and members of a vigilante group had earlier combed a forest where they arrested a third suspect, Saminu Kawujie and recovered two (2) knives, two (2) mobile phones, one (1) UBA ATM card, and the sum of Twenty Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty Naira (N20,250.00) from him.
