When two suspected kidnappers, Idris Abubakar and Sani Abubakar, walked into the Auchi Specialist Hospital on a visit to a relative on admission recently, they had no inkling that they could end up in police net and in handcuffs.
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But it turned out that they were recognised at the hospital by a medical doctor whom they had abducted and subjected to untold torture in their Igbira camp area of Auchi, headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area.
The Igbira camp area of Auchi had become notorious for kidnapping activities. While the presence of a military barrack in the area had encouraged residents to build houses there, it became a dark spot where many people have been abducted and made to pay huge sums as ransom.
It was at this Igbira camp area that Dr. Ibrahim Tahir, a medical doctor currently on his housemanship at the Edo Specialist Hospital, and his brother Abu, a graduate of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, were abducted. They were both returning from work when they were picked up in front of their residence along City Pride Road, Igbira Camp, Auchi.
Abu was killed by the kidnappers while allegedly attempting to escape, and has since been buried according to Islamic rites. Dr. Ibrahim on the other hand was released after more than 10 days in the kidnappers’ den after the sum of N50 million was paid as ransom.
Some close family members said it was divine intervention that made the two suspects walk to Dr. Ibrahim at the hospital, who instantly recognised them as his abductors and raised the alarm.
There was instant commotion at the hospital as a huge crowd immediately gathered to witness the dramatic scene. Prompt arrival of the police from Auchi Division, however, saved the suspected kidnappers from jungle justice.
Idris was identified as the one who collected the ransom while Sani was said to be responsible for feeding the victims.
Before the suspects were arrested, police operatives conducting routine bush-combing operation in collaboration with local hunters and vigilante groups at Warake forest had intercepted one Saminu Kawujie, also identified as a member of the gang during an identification parade.
Edo State Police Command spokesman, Eno Ikoedem, in a statement, said the arrests were due to sustained intelligence-led operations in Auchi and its environs.
Ikoedem said both suspects had been identified as members of the gang that abducted the two brothers.
“Idris Abubakar was identified as the particular person who received ransom money for the release of Dr. Abu.
“Effort has been intensified towards conducting a comprehensive and discreet investigation aimed at dismantling the entire notorious organised criminal network responsible for the kidnappings in Auchi and its environs,” Ikoedem said.
However, three days after the arrest of the suspects, Dr. Ibrahim’s father, Mallam Abu Tahir, cried out that the police were not updating the family after transferring the suspects to police headquarters for further investigation.
Mallam Tahir said: “The matter is surrounded by suspense. Since the suspects were taken to Benin, we have not been clearly told who else is involved or how far the investigation has gone. We want to know when justice will come.”
Speaking on the issue yesterday, Tahir said he was satisfied with the ongoing investigation. He demanded justice for his slain son.
Sources said police investigation might uncover deep conspiracy into the abduction of the brothers.
A sister to Dr. Ibrahim, Mariam Abu, urged the public to disregard the outcry by the father, saying he was not the right person to speak for the family. She told our reporter that she would speak further on the matter.
“Our father was not there for us when we needed him. He should not use this tragedy to gain sympathy from the public,” she said.
Edo Police Commissioner, Monday Agbonika, said the arrest of the two suspects had led to arrest of others, adding that all the suspects arrested would be charged to court soon.
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