Gunmen kidnap medical doctor, brother in Edo

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted two brothers, identified as Abu Ibrahim Babatunde and Abu Tahir, in Auchi, Edo State.

The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday evening along City Pride Road, Igbira Camp, Auchi, the administrative headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area.

One of the victims, Abu Ibrahim, a medical doctor, said to be currently undergoing housemanship at the Edo State Teaching Hospital, Auchi, was returning home from work with his brother, Tahir, when the assailants struck.

Sources said the brothers arrived at their residence at about 7:30 p.m. and Tahir had stepped out of the vehicle to open the gate when the gunmen, who were reportedly lying in wait, emerged from hiding.

The attackers abducted the brothers at gunpoint and whisked them into the nearby bush.

Confirming the incident, the Edo State Police Command spokesperson, CSP Eno Ikoedem, said the command received a distress call at about 8:30 p.m. on January 2, 2026, reporting the abduction.

She said operatives were immediately deployed to the scene, while a coordinated manhunt was launched involving the police, local vigilantes, forest guards, and Community Safety Partnership Volunteers familiar with the terrain.

According to her, aggressive search-and-rescue operations have been ongoing in the surrounding forest since the incident, with efforts focused on rescuing the victims and apprehending the perpetrators.

Ikoedem assured that the command would leave no stone unturned to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted brothers.