Edo doctor regains freedom after 2 weeks in kidnappers’ den

A medical doctor abducted by gunmen alongside his brother in the Auchi area of Edo State, Abu Babatunde, has regained his freedom after spending two weeks in captivity.

Babatunde, a House Officer at Edo State University Teaching Hospital, Iyamho, was kidnapped alongside his younger brother, Abu Tahir, a newly-graduated medical doctor from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, on January 1, 2026.

The two brothers were abducted at the gate of their residence in Igbira Camp, Auchi, shortly after returning from work.

While the abductors initially demanded a N200 million ransom for the duo, the incident, however, took a tragic turn on January 6 when Tahir was killed by the kidnappers.

His body was later discovered by security operatives near a riverside.

Despite the killing, the kidnappers continued to hold Babatunde, subsequently reducing the ransom demand to N100 million and later to about N40 million, following negotiations with the family.

However, Babatunde’s release was disclosed via a viral video on Wednesday night.

Kidnappers demand N100m ransom for eight abducted Edo residents

The video revealed that the doctor was rescued at about 8 p.m. by local hunters and vigilance groups during a coordinated operation in the forest.

In the footage, the vigilantes were seen assisting the visibly weak doctor into a waiting vehicle.

A narrator in the video said one of the kidnappers was neutralised during the rescue operation.

He said that Babatunde sustained a gunshot injury in his leg, leaving him unable to walk unaided after being carried over a long distance from the forest.

The Chairman of Edo State branch of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr Eustace Oseghale, confirmed the doctor’s release on Thursday.

The Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, also confirmed the development, saying Babatunde had since been reunited with his family.

The Star