The Publicity Secretary of the Ebonyi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Simbad Victor Ogbuatu, and eight others have been arrested by the Police Command in the state over alleged kidnap and murder of Eze Francis Igwe, the traditional ruler of Ndufu Alike Community in Ikwo Local Government Area.
The traditional ruler, father of a former Ebonyi State Deputy Governor, Kelechi Igwe, was abducted on March 2, 2026 on his way to church.
His body was recovered after the suspects confessed to killing him roughly 24 hours later.
Police tracked the kidnappers via a bank account number allegedly used for ransom payment, leading to Ogbuatu’s arrest.
A shootout between police and the kidnappers left one suspect dead, with the eight arrested.
The spokesperson of the state police command and a Superintendent of Police, SP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed this to newsmen.
Governor Francis Nwifuru condoled with the family of the monarch, postponing a State Executive Council meeting to visit them.
Nwifuru called the slain monarch an “accomplished elder statesman”, vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The former Deputy Governor thanked Nwifuru for the efforts to rescue his father.
