AUCHI, Edo State — A wave of grief and outrage has swept through Auchi following the heartbreaking news that kidnappers have murdered Tahir Abu Emhoye, the younger of two brothers abducted on New Year’s Day.
The grim discovery was made on Monday morning, January 5, 2026, when security agencies combing the bushes found Tahir’s lifeless body dumped near the Orley River.
A New Year Turned Into a Nightmare
The brothers—Tahir, a fresh medical graduate from Ambrose Alli University (AAU), and his elder brother, Abu Ibrahim Babatunde, a house officer at the Edo University Teaching Hospital—were ambushed at approximately 7:30 PM on January 1.
The duo was opening the gate to their residence at Igbira Camp, along City Pride Road, after a long day of work when gunmen emerged from the shadows and whisked them into the forest.
The N200 Million Demand
By Saturday, the captors had established contact with the family, initially demanding a staggering N200 million ransom. While negotiations reportedly saw that figure drop to N100 million, the kidnappers took a violent turn.
A viral video circulating in the community suggests that Tahir may have been killed during a desperate escape attempt. His father, Tahir Momoh, confirmed the tragic loss, noting that the young doctor has already been laid to rest according to Islamic rites.
“A Very Sad Day”: The Search for Abu Ibrahim Continues
While the family mourns the loss of Tahir—a former Director of Sports at the AAU Student Union Government—the fate of his elder brother, Abu Ibrahim, remains unknown. He is still in the hands of the abductors.
“It is true that he was killed… the elder brother is still with the kidnappers,” his father lamented. “This is a very sad day for us, and we hope that his elder [brother] will be released to us.”
Community Calls for Action
Residents of Auchi are now calling on the Edo State Police Command to intensify operations in the Igbira Camp area, which they claim has become a hotspot for “easy money” kidnappings. ASP Eno Ikoedem has confirmed that security forces, including forest guards and vigilantes, are continuing their aggressive search-and-rescue mission to bring the remaining doctor home safely.
