- The Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed the death of HRH Francis Igwe, the traditional ruler of Ndufu-Alike and father of former Deputy Governor Kelechi Igwe, who was abducted on March 1, 2026.
- Police investigations revealed that the monarch was killed by his captors just one day after his abduction, despite an intensive intelligence-led rescue operation by security operatives.
- A total of nine suspects have been arrested in connection with the crime following a violent shootout at a kidnappers’ hideout that left one hoodlum dead and the monarch’s remains recovered.
The peaceful Ndufu-Alike community in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State has been thrown into mourning following the confirmed killing of its traditional ruler, Francis Igwe.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the monarch, who is the father of the state’s immediate past Deputy Governor, Kelechi Igwe, was intercepted and kidnapped by armed men last Sunday while he was on his way to a church service.
EDITOR’S PICK
- 540 Candidates Cleared as Lagos APC Moves to Elect LGA Executives
- Court Sentences Pastor to Death for Killing UniUyo Student
- Lagos Teacher Questions Lack of Recognition for One-Day Governor Mentors
Despite hopes for his safe return, the police confirmed on Friday, March 6, that the elderly ruler did not survive the ordeal.
According to a statement issued by the Ebonyi State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Joshua Ukandu, the breakthrough in the case came after the arrest of two key members of the kidnapping syndicate.
During a rigorous interrogation, the suspects confessed that the monarch was murdered on March 2, 2026, less than twenty-four hours after he was taken.
The suspects then offered to lead the police to a secluded hideout to recover the body, a mission that turned into a deadly confrontation.
As police operatives approached the specified location, other members of the gang lying in wait opened fire, leading to a fierce gun battle.
DSP Ukandu noted that the police responded with superior firepower, neutralizing one of the kidnappers while others fled into the surrounding terrain.
In the aftermath of the skirmish, seven additional suspects were apprehended, bringing the total number of individuals in custody to nine.
A locally made pistol and other incriminating items were recovered from the scene.
The remains of the late traditional ruler have been recovered and deposited at a morgue for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
This tragic end to the abduction has sparked widespread condemnation across Ebonyi State, with many calling for swifter action against the rising wave of kidnapping in the Southeast.
The police have assured the public that the suspects currently in custody will face the full weight of the law once investigations are concluded, even as they continue to hunt for the remaining fleeing members of the gang.
