Gunmen Kidnap Medical Doctor, Brother In Edo

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted two brothers, identified as Abu Ibrahim Babatunde and Abu Tahir, in Auchi, Edo State.

The incident occurred on Thursday evening along City Pride Road, Igbira Camp, Auchi, the administrative headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area.

One of the victims, Abu Ibrahim, a medical doctor currently undergoing his housemanship at the Edo State Teaching Hospital, was returning home from work with his brother, Tahir, when they were attacked.

Sources said the brothers arrived at their residence at about 7:30 p.m., and as Tahir stepped out of the vehicle to open the gate, the gunmen—who were reportedly lying in ambush—suddenly emerged.

The assailants were said to have abducted the brothers at gunpoint and taken them into a nearby bush.

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

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

According to her, aggressive search-and-rescue operations have since been ongoing in the surrounding forests, 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 and bring those responsible to justice.