ABAKILIKI: Police authorities in Ebonyi State say they have arrested the suspected mastermind behind the kidnapping and murder of traditional ruler Eze Francis Igwe of Ndufu-Alike community in Ikwo Local Government Area.
The monarch, who was the father of former deputy governor Kelechi Igwe, was abducted on March 1, 2026, while travelling to church in Ndufu-Alike.
According to the police, the suspect, identified as Nwazunku Stephen, was arrested on March 8 after days of surveillance and intelligence-driven operations carried out by officers of the command.
Police spokesperson SP Joshua Ukandu confirmed the arrest in a statement on Tuesday, explaining that the suspect was tracked to his hideout in Ikwo Local Government Area before he was apprehended.
Ukandu said the suspect has already begun cooperating with investigators and is providing useful information to help the police unravel the circumstances surrounding the crime.
Earlier, on March 7, another suspect reportedly guided operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad to a hideout linked to the gang.
During a search of the location, police recovered several weapons and items including a submachine gun, a pump-action rifle, three locally made Beretta pistols, eleven rounds of 9mm ammunition, ten live cartridges, a machete, a shovel and various charms believed to have been used by the suspects.
Police authorities assured residents that investigations are still ongoing and vowed that all individuals connected to the crime will be tracked down and brought to justice.
The monarch was reportedly killed a day after he was kidnapped, a development that sparked outrage and renewed concerns over security in the state.
