APC State Publicity Secretary Fingered in Kidnap, Killing of Ebonyi Traditional Ruler

The state Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State, Mr. Simbad Victor Ogbuatu has been fingered in the kidnap and killing of the Octogenarian father of the immediate past Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe.

HRH Francis Igwe is the paramount ruler of Alike Ikwo Autonomous Community in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

 

The traditional ruler was kidnapped on March 2nd 2026 while he was going to worship at the Assemblies of God Church, Alike Ikwo a walking distance to his Palace.

 

The kidnappers took the traditional ruler to a village within Abakaliki Local Government Area where he was kkeptand was killed barely 24hours after he was abducted.

Though he had already been murdered, assailants, however, contacted the family seeking 500, 000 (five hundred thousand naira) to enable them.buy the man’s medication while negotiations for ransom continued.

 

The kidnappers according to sources close to the family  provided a Zenith Bank account where the money for drugs  was paid.

Security operatives who were already trailing the daredevil kidnappers worked with the bank and subsequently arrested the culprits who are currently in police custody.

Confirming the incident, the Spokesperson of the Nigerian Police Force, Ebonyi State Command, SP Joshua Ukandu  in a statement issued in Abakaliki on Friday revealed that the kidnappers engaged police rescue team in a gun duel which led to the killing of one of the kidnappers while eight members of the kidnapping syndicate were overpowered and arrested.

The police statement reads:

“Following the kidnapping of HRH Eze Francis Igwe on 1st March 2026, operatives of the Ebonyi State Command immediately commenced intensive operations aimed at rescuing the kidnapped monarch.

 

“Through the deployment of technical and intelligence assets, operatives arrested two suspects identified as members of the kidnapping syndicate. During interrogation, the suspects confessed that the monarch had been killed on 2nd March 2026. They further volunteered to lead operatives to their hideout and assist in the recovery of the remains of the monarch.

 

“However, upon approaching the hideout, other members of the gang opened fire on the operatives. The operatives responded with superior firepower, which overwhelmed the gang.

“In the course of the confrontation, one of the hoodlums was neutralised, while others fled the scene. Subsequently, seven additional suspects were arrested, and one locally made pistol was recovered from the suspects.

 

“The remains of the late traditional ruler were later recovered and deposited at the morgue for autopsy. The suspects are currently in police custody, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing members of the gang. They will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The APC Ebonyi State Chapter had on Wednesday re-elected its executive members from the ward to the State Working Committee (SWC).

 

The party has and the state government have not officially reacted to the incident at press time. é