“How Kidnappers Beat Ex-Deputy Governor’s Father to Death in Captivity” — Gov. Nwifuru

Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has revealed how abductors allegedly beat to death the traditional ruler of Ndufu-Alike community in Ebonyi State, Eze Francis Igwe, after holding him in a remote hideout.

The monarch, father of former Ebonyi deputy governor Kelechi Igwe, was abducted on Sunday morning while heading to church in Ikwo Local Government Area. Days later, suspects arrested by police reportedly confessed that he died from injuries sustained during an assault in their hideout.

Speaking during a condolence visit to the family in Ikwo, Nwifuru said he received a distress call from Kelechi Igwe shortly before leaving for church. According to the governor, he immediately contacted security agencies and directed them to begin investigations to locate the kidnappers.

Initial intelligence reportedly traced the gang to a remote area around Eda community in neighbouring Izzi Local Government Area. The kidnappers later demanded about N200 million as ransom. However, the governor said his concern grew when the abductors repeatedly refused to allow the monarch speak with his family during negotiations.

Investigators later linked the ransom payment arrangement to a bank account allegedly provided by the publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress in Ebonyi State, Simbad Ogbuatu. Nwifuru said he ordered the politician’s arrest after learning the account had been supplied for the ransom payment.

During interrogation, the suspect reportedly said he provided the account details after being contacted by his personal assistant, who investigators believe had connections with members of the kidnapping gang. Police later used the suspect’s phone to invite members of the gang to a meeting point under the pretext of sharing the ransom money, leading to several arrests.

According to the governor, four suspects confessed that the abduction was organised by a man identified as Sonny, who allegedly accused the monarch of seizing family and communal lands belonging to some villagers. The suspects said they monitored the monarch’s routine before intercepting him near a church gate using a tricycle and a motorcycle.

He was first taken to a building near the alleged mastermind’s residence before being moved to a deserted area in Eda surrounded by rice farms. The monarch was tied, blindfolded and left in the building.

The suspects told investigators that the elderly ruler pleaded for food and medication, explaining that he had not taken his drugs that morning. Trouble escalated when one of the kidnappers removed the blindfold after the monarch complained that he could not breathe. With the restraints loosened, he managed to free himself.

The action reportedly angered the gang leader, who began beating him. During the assault, the monarch fell and hit his head on the ground. Nwifuru said the ruler later began bleeding from the nose and died minutes afterward.

The suspects allegedly moved the body to a nearby rice farm and covered it with rice stalks. They also left a pistol near the scene, possibly to mislead investigators. When the body remained undiscovered the following day, the gang leader reportedly returned and set it on fire in an attempt to destroy evidence.

After their arrest, the suspects reportedly agreed to help police locate the alleged mastermind. One of them contacted Sonny, claiming the ransom had been collected and his share was ready. Police officers laid an ambush at the meeting point, but the suspect reportedly resisted arrest and attempted to flee before he was shot. He later died from gunshot wounds.

The Ebonyi State Police Command confirmed the arrest of nine suspects in connection with the crime. Police spokesperson Joshua Ukandu said the suspects confessed during interrogation and later led investigators to the location where the monarch’s remains were recovered. A locally made pistol was also recovered during the operation, while the body has been deposited in a morgue for autopsy as investigations continue.

Reacting to the incident, Kelechi Igwe described his father’s death as painful and disturbing, calling on authorities to ensure that everyone involved in the crime is brought to justice. Condolence messages have continued to pour in from across the state, including from Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Nweze Umahi, who described the killing as shocking and heartbreaking.