Ex-Ebonyi deputy gov’s father killed by abductors

•Police kill one, arrest 9

From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki

Abductors of HRH Francis Igwe, father of a former Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr Kelechi Igwe have killed him.

Igwe, who was the traditional ruler of Ndufu -Alike community, Ikwo Local Government Area of the state, was kidnapped on the March 1 on his way to church.

He was however killed by the hoodlums the following day.

This was contained in a statement signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, and made available to journalists in Abakaliki, the state capital.

Ukandu said immediately the kidnap occurred, the state police command began intensive operations to rescue the monarch, which led to the arrest of two suspects, who confessed to the crime and led operatives to their hideout.

He revealed that on getting to their hideout, other members of the kidnapping syndicate opened fire on the operatives and one of them was killed while additional seven suspects were arrested.

“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 the 2nd of March, 2026. They further volunteered to lead operatives to their hideout and assist in the recovery of the remains of the monarch.

“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 on-going to apprehend the fleeing members of the gang. They will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations”, he said.