Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed allegations that a Divisional Police Officer in Edo State unlawfully released a suspected kidnapper who was later rearrested after being identified by a victim at a hospital in Auchi, describing the claims as misleading and lacking context.
The controversy erupted following a viral video circulated on social media by an activist known as “Mr Common Sense,” who accused police officers in the Auchi area of complicity in kidnapping activities. The video alleged that one of the suspects currently in custody had previously been arrested by local vigilantes in March 2025 and handed over to the Agbede Divisional Police Station, only to be released under questionable circumstances.
The claims gained traction amid public outrage over the January 2, 2026 kidnapping of Dr. Ibrahim Tahir and his brother, Abu, near Igbira Camp in Auchi, located in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State. According to reports, the abductors killed Abu during the ordeal and later released Dr. Tahir after a ransom of N50 million was paid.
Subsequently, two suspects identified as Idris Abubakar and Sani Abubakar were apprehended at Auchi Specialist Hospital after Dr. Tahir allegedly recognized them during a visit to see a relative. Police sources indicated that Idris Abubakar was believed to have collected the ransom payment.
In the viral footage, the activist displayed what he described as a photograph from the suspect’s earlier arrest by vigilantes, alleging that the individual had been transferred to the Agbede police division due to the vigilantes’ limited authority to detain suspects. He further claimed that the Divisional Police Officer, referred to in the video as “McDonald,” released the suspect despite the gravity of the accusations, suggesting that the release enabled him to resume criminal activities.
Responding to the allegations, the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, rejected any suggestion of misconduct by the police. He emphasized that arrests alone do not equate to guilt and that investigations must be supported by credible evidence before prosecution can proceed.
He stated that during the 2025 incident referenced in the viral video, the suspect was subjected to preliminary investigation but no incriminating evidence was found linking him to kidnapping or any other offence. According to Hundeyin, the suspect was neither found in possession of firearms nor apprehended with any victim, and there was no material evidence to justify continued detention.
Under Nigerian law, police are obligated to grant bail when there is insufficient evidence to sustain charges. Detaining a suspect without cause, he explained, would constitute a violation of constitutional rights and expose the force to legal liability. The spokesperson maintained that due process was followed and that the earlier release was based strictly on the evidentiary threshold at the time.
Hundeyin further cautioned against ethnic profiling in public discourse surrounding the case. He warned that associating specific ethnic groups, particularly Fulani communities residing in forested areas, with criminality was dangerous and could inflame tensions. Criminal conduct, he stressed, is not the preserve of any ethnicity, and law enforcement investigations must remain evidence-based.
The police confirmed that the suspects in the January 2026 kidnapping are currently in custody and that investigators now possess substantial evidence, including victim identification and confessional statements. According to the spokesperson, the evidentiary landscape in the present case differs significantly from the circumstances surrounding the earlier arrest.
“Now that there is clear evidence, he has been arrested and has not been released, unlike the previous case where there was no proof,” Hundeyin said, reiterating that the force would not shield any individual where credible evidence exists.
The incident has reignited public debate over police accountability and the challenges of combating kidnapping in parts of southern Nigeria. Edo State, including communities around Auchi, has in recent years faced intermittent cases of abduction, often targeting professionals and travelers along semi-rural corridors.
Security analysts note that the distinction between suspicion and prosecutable evidence is frequently misunderstood in high-profile criminal cases. While vigilante groups often assist in apprehending suspects, law enforcement agencies must independently verify allegations before filing charges in court. Failure to meet evidentiary standards can result in acquittals, undermining both justice and public confidence.
The viral allegations also reflect broader tensions between community-based security outfits and formal policing structures. Vigilante groups operate with local legitimacy but limited statutory authority, making coordination with police essential yet occasionally contentious.
Legal experts emphasize that bail does not equate to exoneration. Rather, it reflects the presumption of innocence and the requirement that detention be justified by demonstrable grounds. In cases where new evidence emerges, suspects may be rearrested and prosecuted, as appears to have occurred in the current matter.
The killing of Abu during the January kidnapping has intensified calls for swift prosecution and improved security measures. Family members and community leaders have urged authorities to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice without delay.
Police authorities have pledged to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation, assuring the public that all suspects will face prosecution where evidence supports the charges. They have also encouraged citizens to provide credible information through official channels rather than relying solely on social media narratives.
As investigations continue, the case underscores the delicate balance between safeguarding human rights and responding decisively to violent crime. For many residents in Edo State, restoring trust in the justice process will depend on transparent proceedings and demonstrable accountability in court.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments