Gunmen kidnap medical doctor, brother in Edo on new year’s day 

A medical doctor identified as Abu Ibrahim Babatunde and his brother, Abu Tahir have been abducted by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers in Auchi, the administrative headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.

The medical doctor is said to be undergoing housemanship at the Edo State Teaching Hospital, Auchi.

It was learnt that the victims were kidnapped at gun point in front of their residence when returning from work.
According to a source, the medical doctor and his junior brother arrived at their residence at about 7:30 pm.

The junior brother called Tahir came out of the vehicle to open the gate when the gunmen, who were reportedly lying in wait, emerged from hiding.
“The gunmen abducted the two brothers and whisked them into the nearby bush,” he said.
The authorities of the Edo State Police Command have confirmed the incident, saying that operatives have been deployed to the scene.

The Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem said the command received a distress call at about 8:30 pm on January 2, 2026, about the abduction.
Ikoedem said operatives were immediately deployed to the scene, while a coordinated manhunt has been launched, involving the police, local vigilantes, forest guards, and Community Safety Partnership Volunteers familiar with the terrain for the rescue the victims.
“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,”she added.

She assured that the command would leave no stone unturned to ensure the safe rescue of the victims.
Meanwhile residents of the Auchi community have condemned the abduction of the medical doctor and his brother, describing the incident as disturbing and  unacceptable.
The residents, while describing the young medical doctor as a calm, dedicated young professional committed to saving lives, opined that his only crime was serving humanity.
They, however, called on security agencies, the Edo State Government, and all relevant authorities to act swiftly for the safe and unconditional release of the victims.