How Ebonyi ex-deputy governor’s father was killed in kidnappers’ den, by Nwifuru
THE tragic death of the traditional ruler of Ndufu-Alike community in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Eze Francis Igwe, has sent shockwaves across the state, with revelations emerging
THE tragic death of the traditional ruler of Ndufu-Alike community in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Eze Francis Igwe, has sent shockwaves across the state, with revelations emerging about how the monarch was abducted, assaulted and eventually killed by members of a kidnap gang.
Eze Igwe, father of the state’s former Deputy Governor, Kelechi Igwe, was abducted last Sunday morning while heading to church in his community.
Days later, his body was discovered after suspects arrested by the police confessed that he died from injuries sustained during an assault in their hideout.
Governor Francis Nwifuru during a condolence visit to the bereaved family in Ikwo, narrated how security agencies tracked the kidnappers and uncovered the circumstances surrounding the monarch’s death.
“I was preparing to go to church when I got a call from His Excellency, Kelechi Igwe. I asked jokingly if everything was well, and he told me everything was not well. He said they had just kidnapped his father,” Nwifuru said.
The governor said he contacted the police commissioner and other security operatives, directing them to start investigations and locate the abductors.
Later that same day, intelligence reportedly indicated that the kidnappers were operating from a remote area believed to be around Eda community in neighbouring Izzi Local Government Area.
Security agencies initially focused on negotiating the victim’s release after the abductors demanded ransom.
However, the governor said his concern was heightened when the kidnappers repeatedly refused to allow the monarch to speak with his family during negotiations.
“They demanded about N200 million, but they were not giving His Royal Highness the phone to speak. That was when I became worried,” he said.
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While security efforts continued, a dramatic twist emerged during a political meeting in the state capital when information reached the governor linking the state Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Simbad Ogbuatu, to the ransom payment.
According to the governor, investigators alleged that the politician provided a bank account where the ransom would be paid.
“I was told the account linked to the ransom belonged to the APC publicity secretary. I immediately approved that he should be arrested,” Nwifuru said.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly admitted that he gave out his account after being contacted by one of the kidnappers, who is his personal assistant.
He initially claimed the money was related to a land transaction, but investigators suspected otherwise.
The investigation took a significant turn when police operatives used the suspect’s phone to lure members of the kidnap gang to a meeting point under the pretext of sharing the ransom.
The suspects were arrested and subsequently confessed to their roles in the crime.
According to the governor, four suspects who participated in the abduction appeared before him and security officials and narrated how the crime unfolded.
They claimed the operation was masterminded by a man identified as Sonny, who allegedly accused the traditional ruler of seizing family and communal lands belonging to some villagers.
Sonny reportedly recruited the gang to abduct the monarch, hoping to force him to relinquish the disputed land while also extracting ransom from his wealthy children.
The kidnappers revealed they monitored the monarch’s movements and eventually intercepted him near a church gate as he arrived in his vehicle.
“They came with a tricycle and a motorcycle and abducted him,” the governor recounted.
The suspects said they initially took the monarch to an isolated building near Sonny’s residence but later moved him to a deserted area in Eda, a location abandoned due to a boundary dispute.
The area, surrounded mainly by rice farms, had no residents and provided a secluded environment where the kidnappers could hide their victim.
They tied the monarch’s hands and legs, blindfolded him and left him in the building.
The monarch reportedly pleaded for food and medication, explaining that he was ill and had not taken his drugs that morning.
Trouble escalated the following day when one of the kidnappers removed the blindfold from the monarch after he complained he could not breathe.
With the restraints loosened, the elderly monarch managed to remove the ropes binding his hands and legs.
The act angered Sonny, who allegedly punched and kicked the monarch.
During the assault, the traditional ruler fell and hit his head on the ground, sustaining serious injuries.
“The late Eze Francis Igwe died from injuries he sustained from the physical assault by the leader of the kidnap gang,” the governor said.
Blood reportedly began flowing from the monarch’s nose shortly afterward.
Within minutes, he stopped moving.
When one of the kidnappers checked his pulse, they realised he had died.
Attempts to cover up crime
The suspects said they later moved the monarch’s body to a rice farm close to the road and covered it with rice stalks.
They initially left a pistol at the scene, possibly to mislead investigators.
When they returned the next day and discovered the body had not been found, Sonny allegedly set it on fire in an attempt to destroy evidence.
Hunt for the mastermind
After the suspects confessed, they agreed to help police locate Sonny.
One of them called him, claiming he had collected the ransom money and wanted to deliver his share.
When Sonny arrived at the agreed location, police officers who had laid an ambush attempted to arrest him.
However, the governor said the suspect resisted arrest and tried to escape.
According to police accounts, he struggled with officers and attempted to flee before he was shot.
He later died from gunshot wounds.
Governor Nwifuru expressed concern about the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s death, noting that he had earlier instructed security agents not to kill any suspects until investigations were concluded.
Political link investigated
Investigators also questioned how the APC publicity secretary became involved in the ransom arrangement.
One of the suspects told authorities that his personal assistant contacted the politician because his bank account had been used in previous transactions and was believed to be difficult to trace.
The suspect claimed they informed him the money was ransom for a kidnapped victim before he provided the account.
Police have continued questioning the politician over his alleged role as the “bagman” for the gang.
Family seeks justice
Responding during the condolence visit, the former deputy governor, Kelechi Igwe, described the killing of his father as a painful and gruesome loss.
While expressing gratitude to the governor for mobilising security agencies to search for the monarch, he called for justice.
“The way he was assassinated calls so many things to question,” Igwe said.
“The only appeal this family will make is that the killers of our father should not be allowed to dance on his grave.”
He also acknowledged the governor’s support during the search efforts and the assistance he had previously rendered to his family.
Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area, Sunday Nwankwo, who is also a son-in-law to the late monarch, said the traditional ruler was abducted while carrying out his weekly church routine.
He noted that despite the governor’s efforts and work of security operatives, the community was devastated when the suspects led investigators to the location where the monarch had already been killed.
Eze Francis Igwe was respected in Ebonyi as a disciplined and influential traditional ruler.
His death has left the Ikwo community and the entire state mourning, even as investigations continue into what authorities believe may be a wider conspiracy behind the crime.
The Nation had reported that the police in the state confirmed the death of the monarch and arrest of some suspects.
According to the Police spokesperson, Joshua Ukandu, operatives had launched an intensive rescue using technical and intelligence resources after the incident was reported.
The police said the operation led to the arrest of two suspects believed to be members of the kidnapping syndicate.
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed that the monarch had been killed on March 2.
“They further volunteered to lead operatives to their hideout and assist in the recovery of the remains of the monarch,” Ukandu stated.
Police operatives later moved to the suspected hideout, but the operation turned violent when other members of the gang allegedly opened fire on them.
Security agents reportedly responded with superior firepower, leading to a gun battle.
During the confrontation, one of the suspected kidnappers was neutralised while others fled the scene.
The police spokesperson said seven additional suspects were subsequently arrested, bringing the total number of suspects in custody to nine.
A local pistol was also recovered from them.
Ukandu confirmed that the remains of the slain monarch were later recovered and deposited in a morgue for autopsy.
He added that investigations are ongoing and that the suspects will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.
Meanwhile, eminent persons within and outside Ebonyi have continued to send their condolences to the family of the late monarch.
The Minister of Works, David Nweze Umahi, in a statement expressed sorrow over the tragic death of the late Monarch whose son, Kelechi Igwe was the deputy governor when he served as Governor of the state from 2015 to 2023.
Umahi described the news as shocking and heartbreaking.
“This is shocking, very sad and still feels like a dream. It is painful to imagine that such a respected elder and traditional ruler could meet such a tragic end,” he said.
Umahi noted that the late monarch was widely respected for his wisdom, calm disposition, and dedication to the peace and development of his community.
He said the death of the traditional ruler is not only a painful loss to his immediate family but also to the traditional institution and the entire Ebonyi State.
The Minister particularly expressed deep sympathy to Barr. Kelechi Igwe, who served as his Deputy Governor during his tenure as Governor of Ebonyi State, noting that the loss of a father under such painful circumstances is difficult to bear.
“I deeply feel the pain of my brother and former Deputy Governor, Barr. Kelechi Igwe, and the entire Igwe family at this moment. Losing a father is always painful, but the nature of this tragedy makes it even more heartbreaking. My prayers and thoughts are with the family,” he said.
While commending security agencies for the swift arrest of those allegedly involved in the dastardly act, Senator Umahi expressed hope that justice will be fully served to bring some measure of closure to the grieving family and deter such crimes in society.
He prayed for God to grant the soul of the late monarch eternal rest and give the family, his community, and all who mourn him the strength to bear the painful loss.
“May God console the family and grant them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. May the soul of HRH Eze Francis Igwe rest in perfect peace,” the Minister added.
APC condemns Abduction, Murder of Monarch
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State, Stanley Okoro Emegha, on Friday led members of the state executive committee of the party on a condolence visit to the family of the late traditional ruler of Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, Ezeogo Francis Igwe.
During the visit to the monarch’s palace in Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo Local Government Area, Mr Emegha described the killing as barbaric and a tragedy that has cast a shadow over the image of the state.
He expressed deep sympathy to the family of the former deputy governor, the Ndufu-Alike community and the entire Ikwo clan over the painful loss.
The APC chairman called on security agencies to carry out a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that all those involved in the crime are brought to justice.
He assured that the ruling party in the state would cooperate fully with security agencies to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killing.
“We came as a party to give you strength. Be strong in this moment of grief,” Emegha said.
“The party stands by the position and decision of the governor, who does not condone evil. What is evil is evil, and all of us must rise to condemn this heinous act.
“The perpetrators must suffer for this because the Bible says no sinner shall go unpunished. The greatest sin is to take away a life you did not create. Whoever is involved in this evil must be fished out and punished accordingly.”, he said.
He also urged members of the public to remain calm and allow security agencies to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
