Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Auchi, Edo State — Dr. Ibrahim Abu Babatunde, a medical doctor who was abducted alongside his younger brother at their home in Igbira Camp, Auchi, on January 1, 2026, has regained his freedom after spending approximately two weeks in the hands of kidnappers, local authorities and media reports confirmed.
Dr. Babatunde, a house officer at Edo University Teaching Hospital, Iyamho, was seized with his brother, Abu Tahir, a newly qualified doctor, shortly after they returned from work earlier this month. The abductors initially demanded a ransom of ₦200 million, but negotiations proved protracted and tragic. Tahir was reportedly killed by the kidnappers on January 6, and his body was later discovered by security operatives near a riverside.
Following the death of his brother, negotiations continued, and the kidnappers reportedly reduced their ransom demands multiple times. Ultimately, the family — with contributions from non-governmental organisations, friends and well-wishers — raised and paid a ransom amounting to ₦50 million in staged payments, which secured Dr. Babatunde’s release.
News of the doctor’s freedom emerged in the early hours of Thursday, January 15, 2026, with a viral video circulating on social media showing local hunters and vigilante operatives rescuing him from a forested area around 8 p.m. the previous evening. In the footage, Dr. Babatunde, visibly weakened and assisted by rescuers, was helped into a waiting vehicle after his extraction from the kidnappers’ hideout.
Security volunteers involved in the rescue reportedly engaged the kidnappers, with one of the abductors sustaining gunshot injuries during the operation. Dr. Babatunde was also said to have suffered a bullet graze to his leg during his ordeal and is currently receiving medical treatment for his wounds.
The public relations officer for the Edo State Police Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the doctor’s release and his reunion with family members, stating that the news had been verified by law enforcement authorities.
The abduction and subsequent release of Dr. Babatunde have reignited concerns about the security environment in Edo State, which saw doctors and other healthcare workers suspend services earlier this month in protest against rising kidnappings and violent crime targeting professionals and civilians alike.
While members of the medical community have welcomed Dr. Babatunde’s freedom, many are mourning the loss of his younger brother and continuing to call for enhanced protection of lives and property across the region.
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