Two brothers, Babatunde Abu and Tahir Abu, were targeted by kidnappers in Edo State on New Year’s Day, with the younger sibling, Tahir, found dead over the weekend while his elder brother, a medical doctor, remains in captivity.
The body of Mr. Tahir was discovered at a riverbank during a joint search operation involving the police, army, local vigilantes, and hunters.
ASP Eno Ikoedem, spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, confirmed the discovery on Monday, saying: “The body was identified by the family as that of the younger brother of the medical doctor kidnapped alongside him.”
The brothers were abducted on January 1 along City Pride Road, Igbira Camp, Auchi, in Etsako West LGA, after gunmen ambushed them near their residence while Mr. Abu was driving home.
The kidnappers had demanded N200 million in ransom prior to the discovery of Mr. Tahir’s body and reportedly fled deeper into the forest with his elder brother. Mr. Tahir had recently completed his medical degree but had not yet begun his housemanship at Edo Teaching Hospital.
Authorities continue efforts to locate and rescue the elder sibling.