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By Oscar Okhifo
The traditional ruler of Ndufu-Alike autonomous community in Ebonyi State, Francis Igwe, who was abducted by gunmen last Sunday, has been killed by his captors.
The deceased traditional ruler was the father of Barrister Kelechi Igwe, the immediate past Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State.
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force recovered his body on Friday.
The monarch was kidnapped by gunmen while on his way to church last Sunday.
In a statement released on Friday, the Ebonyi State Police Command confirmed that nine suspects had been arrested in connection with the crime, with the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, adding that the arrests followed the deployment of technical and intelligence assets by operatives.
“Through the deployment of technical and intelligence assets, operatives arrested two suspects identified as members of the kidnapping syndicate,” the statement said.
Ukandu added that during interrogation, the suspects confessed that the monarch had been killed on March 2, 2026, and volunteered to lead operatives to their hideout and assist in the recovery of his remains.
“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,” he said.
He explained that during the gun battle, one of the suspected kidnappers was neutralized while others managed to escape from the scene.
Ukandu added that police operatives later arrested seven additional suspects linked to the crime and recovered a locally made pistol from them.
“The remains of the late traditional ruler were recovered and deposited at the morgue for autopsy,” he said, adding that the suspects are currently in police custody while efforts are ongoing to track down other members of the gang who fled.
The police spokesman noted that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.