The family of Dr. Abu Babatunde, a House Officer at Edo University Teaching Hospital, Iyamho, has appealed to the public for financial help after he and his brother were abducted by gunmen.
In a statement shared with The PUNCH on Thursday, the family disclosed that the kidnappers had demanded a ransom of N100 million, a figure they described as an “impossible mountain to climb” without public intervention.
“With teary eyes and a heavy heart, I come to the public today to ask for your prayers, support, and monetary assistance,” Babatunde’s wife said, explaining the emotional and psychological toll the abduction has taken on the family.
She confirmed that her husband and his brother, Abu Momoh, were forcibly taken from their home by armed men.
According to her, the abductors later contacted the family and placed what she described as a huge price on the lives of the victims.
The family stressed that the ransom demand was far beyond their means, appealing to Nigerians to assist in any way possible to secure Babatunde’s freedom.
“The kidnappers are demanding N100 million for the release of Dr. Abu Babatunde, an amount far beyond what I can raise on my own. No amount is too small. Please keep him in your prayers and help us in any way you can,” the statement added.
The incident has heightened concerns over growing insecurity in the region, particularly the increasing attacks on medical professionals.
Following the abduction, colleagues and friends of the doctor at Edo University Teaching Hospital took to social media to amplify the family’s appeal, urging for support and prayers for a safe resolution.
The PUNCH had earlier reported that the Edo State Police Command, on Saturday, January 3, 2026, confirmed the abduction of two brothers, identified as Ibrahim Babatunde and Abu Momoh, on January 2 in Auchi, Edo North.
According to the police, Ibrahim, who is undergoing his housemanship at the Edo State Teaching Hospital, was kidnapped alongside his brother while returning home from work on Friday, January 2, 2026.
In a tragic development, the gunmen later killed the younger of the two brothers abducted at their residence along City Pride Road, Igbira Camp, Auchi.
The father of the deceased, Tahir Momoh, confirmed the death of his son, Abu Momoh, to PUNCH Online.
