Edo State Police Command say they have arrested three suspects in connection with the kidnapping of a medical doctor, as part of ongoing intelligence-led operations in Auchi and surrounding areas.
The Edo State Police Command said the first arrest was made on 3 February 2026, when officers from the Auchi Division carried out a bush-combing operation in Warake Forest.
The operation, conducted with local hunters and vigilante groups, followed intelligence linked to the abduction of Dr Abu Babatunde.
During the operation, officers intercepted a suspect identified as Saminu Kawujie.
Police said a search led to the recovery of two knives, two mobile phones, a UBA ATM card and ₦20,250 in cash. He was later identified by the victim during an identification parade as one of the abductors.
Police said further arrests were made on 8 February at about 09:00 local time, when officers tracked two additional suspects to the Specialist Hospital in Auchi.
The suspects, named as Idris Abubakar and Sani Abubakar, were detained on the hospital premises.
According to the police, both men were also identified as members of the group responsible for abducting Dr Babatunde on 2 January 2026. Officers said Idris Abubakar was specifically identified as the person who received the ransom payment.
The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, said efforts were ongoing to dismantle the wider criminal network believed to be responsible for kidnappings in Auchi and nearby communities.
He said the police remained committed to pursuing kidnapping cases and bringing those responsible to justice, while continuing intelligence-led operations and security patrols across the state.
