Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a medical doctor, Abu Ibrahim Babatunde, and his brother, Abu Tahir, in Auchi, the headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.
The brothers were reportedly seized on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2026, at about 7:30pm along City Pride Road in the Ibira Camp area of the town.
Babatunde is said to be undergoing his housemanship at the Edo State Teaching Hospital, Auchi.
A source said the victims were returning from work when they were intercepted at gunpoint in front of their residence.
It was gathered that Tahir had stepped out of their vehicle to open the gate when the assailants, who were said to have laid an ambush, emerged and forcefully took the two brothers.
“The gunmen abducted them and dragged them into a nearby bush,” the source added.
The Edo State Police Command confirmed the incident, noting that it received a distress call on January 2 at about 8:30pm.
The command’s spokesperson, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said operatives were immediately deployed to the area, while a joint manhunt involving police officers, vigilantes, forest guards and community safety volunteers had been launched.
She said intensive search-and-rescue operations were ongoing in surrounding forests to secure the victims’ release and apprehend those responsible.
Ikoedem assured that the command was committed to ensuring the safe rescue of the abducted brothers.
Meanwhile, residents of Auchi have condemned the incident, describing the abduction as disturbing and unacceptable, and urged security agencies and the state government to act swiftly to secure the victims’ unconditional release.
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