Twisted minds: Untold story of how Ebonyi monarch was kidnapped, murdered, body set ablaze

From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki

Details of how the traditional ruler of Ndufu -Alike community, Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, HRH  Francis Igwe, was  murdered after his kidnap, has emerged.

Igwe, who was the father of a former deputy governor of the state, Kelechi Igwe, was abducted in the community on March 1 on his way to church and taken to  where he was killed by the hoodlums.

After some days, his body was discovered and his abductors  arrested by the police confessed that he died from injuries sustained during an assault in their hideout.

His tragic death  sent shockwaves across the state, with revelations emerging about how the hoodlums carried out the crime.

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.

He said 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.

According to him,  agencies initially focused on negotiating the victim’s release after the abductors demanded ransom.

He 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.

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), Sinbad 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.

However, 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 Sunny, who allegedly accused the traditional ruler of seizing family and communal lands belonging to some villagers.

Sunny 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 Sunny’s residence but later moved him to a deserted area in Eda, a location abandoned due to 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 Sunny, 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 monarch, 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 realized he had died.

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, Sunny allegedly set it on fire in an attempt to destroy evidence. After the suspects confessed, they agreed to help police locate Sunny.

One of them called him, claiming he had collected the ransom money and wanted to deliver his share. When Sunny arrived at the agreed location, police officers who had laid ambush attempted to arrest him.

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.

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 mobilizing security agencies to search for the monarch, he called for justice.

Igwe said: “The way he was assassinated calls so many things to question. 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.

Meanwhile, houses of the suspects and those of their relatives  were burnt in Ndufu -Alike community  by angry youths who protested the murder of the monarch. The protesters blocked the ever-busy Ikwo//FUNAI road during the protest

Security agency, including the military and police who were alerted of the incident,  removed the  barricades and arrested some of the protesters.

Students of the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo (AE-FUNAI) who live around the area, stayed indoors during the incident.

Leaders of the state have been condemning the killing of the monarch. Among them, Sen. David Umahi, the Minister of Works, described it as shocking and painful.

Umahi  expressed deep sorrow over the tragic death of the  traditional ruler and further described the incident as 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.

He 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 his former deputy, Eric Kelechi Igwe, 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,  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,  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.

The member representing Ikwo/Ezz South federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon.Chinedu Ogah, also condemned the kidnap and abduction of the monarch. During a condolence visit to the monarch’s family, the lawmaker described the abduction and killing as barbaric and senseless.

He said: “I strongly condemn this barbaric and senseless act which led to the unfortunate and irreversible loss of the revered traditional ruler. Such a heinous crime is not only inhumane but also a direct affront to the cherished cultural values and peaceful traditions of our people.

“I therefore urge sons and daughters of Ikwo Noyo clan and the entire community to desist from acts of violence and the unlawful taking of human life, as such behaviour is barbaric, uncivilized, and unacceptable in our society.

“This is a critical moment for all stakeholders to employ every necessary strategy, including lawful traditional mechanisms, to uncover the root cause of this tragic incident. I assure the good people of Ikwo that I will follow this matter diligently to its logical conclusion and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.”

The state police command had arrested nine persons, including Sinbad Ogbuatu in connection to the crime. Ogbuatu who is still in police custody, was said to have attempted to commit suicide.

Police public relations officer in the state, SP Joshua 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 where additional suspects were arrested bringing the total number of those arrested over the crime to nine.

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

“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,” he said.

Ukandu further revealed that the mastermind of the kidnap has been arrested. According to him, the mastermind whose name was given as  Nwazunku Stephen was arrested in his hideout in Ikwo  local government area of the state after sustained surveillance and intelligence-led operations.

He said the suspect has since provided useful information to the police and is currently assisting the command in its ongoing investigation into the kidnap and murder.

“In furtherance of the Command’s ongoing investigation into the kidnapping and murder of HRH Eze Francis Igwe, on 7th March 2026, one of the suspects led operatives of the command attached to the Anti-Kidnapping  Squad to his lair.

“During a search of the location, officers recovered one SMG rifle, one pump-action rifle, three locally made Beretta pistols, eleven rounds of 9mm live ammunition, ten live cartridges, a machete, a shovel, and assorted charms.

“Furthermore, on 8th March 2026, operatives arrested one of the suspects and the alleged mastermind of the kidnapping and murder of the monarch, identified as Nwazunku Stephen, at his hideout in Ikwo after sustained surveillance and intelligence-led operations.

“The suspect has since provided useful information and is currently assisting the command in the ongoing investigation.

“The Command assures the public that investigations are ongoing and all those connected to the crime will be apprehended and brought to justice,” he said.