close
Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Edo kidnappers abduct two brothers, kill younger sibling on New Year’s Day

The kidnappers of two Edo brothers, Babatunde Abu and Tahir Abu, have reportedly killed one of the siblings. The other, a medical doctor, remains in captivity.

• January 6, 2026
Edo State Police Officers
Edo State Police Officers [Credit: Edo State Police Command on X]

The kidnappers of two Edo brothers, Babatunde Abu and Tahir Abu, have reportedly killed one of the siblings. The other, a medical doctor, remains in captivity.

Mr Tahir’s body was discovered at a riverbank during a bush-combing operation by police, army, local vigilantes, and hunters over the weekend.

Sources said the family was still trying to raise the ransom demanded when Mr Tahir’s corpse was found.

The kidnappers abandoned the deceased and fled deeper into the forest with his elder brother.

Mr Tahir had recently graduated as a medical student but had not yet started his housemanship.

Confirming the incident on Monday, ASP Eno Ikoedem, spokesperson of the police command in Edo, said the body was found during a search operation in the bush.

“The body was identified by the family as that of the younger brother of the medical doctor kidnapped alongside him,” she added.

The brothers were abducted on January 1 along City Pride Road, Igbira Camp, Auchi, Etsako West LGA.

Mr Abu, undergoing housemanship at Edo Teaching Hospital, was driving home with his brother when gunmen ambushed them near their residence.

The kidnappers had demanded N200 million as ransom before Mr Tahir’s body was discovered.

(NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Nigerian troops

States

Kidnapped retired colonel rescued by troops in Plateau

The military and vigilantes have rescued a retired army colonel from suspected kidnappers.

Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC)

Economy

Ibadan to experience power outage, IBEDC cites road construction

“Some feeders will be switched off for approximately 3 hours daily from Monday, 5th January 2026, to Friday, 9th January 2026,” said IBEDC.

Bola Tinubu

Economy

Lagos-Calabar coastal highway gets boost with NEC regulatory risk buffer

“Our mandate was to protect the project from regulatory risk and provide the legal foundation for financing,” said Mr Itua.

Super Eagles celebrating goal in Morocco

Sport

AFCON 2025: Odegbami hails Super Eagles, Morocco’s pitches

A meeting with DR Congo would, therefore, offer the Super Eagles an opportunity for redemption and revenge.

AFCON 2025 Knockout

Sport

Knock-out drama deepens as Senegal, Morocco, Cameroon, Egypt, Nigeria seal quarter-final spots

The knockout phase of the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco has gathered momentum, with several teams already booking quarter-final spots.

TINUBU PRESENTING BUDGET BOX

Economy

Nigeria’s 2026 budget will solidify Tinubu’s reform agenda: FG

“Our ‘Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity’ is critical,” stated Mr Idris.