08/02/2026
PRESS RELEASE
UPDATE ON THE ONGOING INVESTIGATION ON THE KIDNAP OF DR. BABATUNDE
The Edo State Police Command wishes to provide further updates on the ongoing investigation into the kidnap of Dr. Abu Babatunde, following successive arrests recorded during sustained intelligence-led operations in Auchi and its environs.
The first breakthrough came on 3/2/2026, operatives of the Auchi Division, while conducting a routine bush-combing operation in collaboration with local hunters and vigilante groups, at Warake Forest following a lead on an intelligence, intercepted one Saminu Kawujie ‘M’, a search conducted on the suspect led to the recovery of two (2) knives, two (2) mobile phones, one (1) UBA ATM card, and the sum of Twenty Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty Naira (₦20,250.00). An identification parade was conducted at the Police station and he was identified by as one of the abductors of Dr Abu Babatunde.
Similarly, on 08/02/2026 at about 0900hrs, the Divisional Police Officer following a lead on the same case mobilized operatives to the Specialist Hospital, Auchi, where two suspects identified as Idris Abubakar ‘M’ and Sani Abubakar ‘M’, were apprehended at the hospital premises. Both suspects have also been identified as part of the gang that abducted Dr. Babatunde on 02/01/2026. Idris Abubakar was identified as the particular person who received ransom money for the release of Dr. Abu.
Effort have been intensified towards conducting a comprehensive and discreet investigation aimed at dismantling the entire notorious organized criminal network responsible for the kidnappings in Auchi and its environs.
The Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, CP Monday Agbonika, fdc, reassures members of the public of the Command’s resolve to pursue all kidnapping cases to a logical conclusion and bring perpetrators to justice, while sustaining aggressive bush-combing operations and intelligence-led policing across the State. The command can be reached on the following numbers;
1. Emergency Control Room Numbers
08077773721 &
08037646272
2. For Complaints;
Public Complaints Bureau (PCB) - 08150999335
Complaints Response Unit (CRU)- 08100389992
ASP ENO IKOEDEM,
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
EDO STATE COMMAND.
8th February, 2026.
