Operatives of the Ebonyi State Police Command have arrested a suspected mastermind and recovered a cache of weapons and ritual charms in connection with the abduction and killing of a traditional ruler in the state.
The development marks a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into the kidnapping and murder of HRH Eze Francis Igwe, the traditional ruler of Ndufu-Alike community in Ikwo Local Government Area and father of the immediate past Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Barrister Kelechi Igwe.
In a press statement issued Tuesday in Abakaliki, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ebonyi State Command, SP Joshua Ukandu, said the breakthrough followed sustained intelligence-driven operations carried out by operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad.
Ukandu disclosed that one of the suspects earlier arrested in connection with the crime on March 7, 2026, led investigators to a suspected criminal hideout believed to have been used by members of the kidnapping syndicate.
According to him, a thorough search of the hideout led to the recovery of several weapons and other items suspected to have been used by the gang in carrying out their criminal operations.
Items recovered from the location include one sub-machine gun (SMG) rifle, one pump-action rifle, three locally fabricated Beretta pistols, eleven rounds of 9mm live ammunition, ten live cartridges, a machete, a shovel, and assorted charms believed to have been used by members of the gang for ritual protection.
Police authorities said the recovered items are currently undergoing forensic examination as part of efforts to establish further evidential links in the case.
In a related development, operatives of the Command on March 8 arrested another suspect identified as Nwazunku Stephen, believed to be the alleged mastermind behind the abduction and murder of the monarch.
The suspect was apprehended at his hideout in Ikwo Local Government Area following days of coordinated surveillance operations and actionable intelligence gathered by investigators.
Security sources said the arrest was the result of sustained tracking efforts involving a combination of human intelligence gathering and technical monitoring of suspected members of the criminal network.
Police said the suspect is currently in custody and has begun providing useful information to investigators, which is expected to aid ongoing efforts to dismantle the entire kidnapping syndicate responsible for the crime.
“The suspect has provided useful information and is currently assisting the Command in the ongoing investigation,” the statement said.
The arrest comes amid an intensified manhunt for other members of the gang believed to have participated in the brazen abduction of the monarch on March 1, 2026.
Investigators had earlier revealed that the traditional ruler was killed a day after his abduction while in the custody of the kidnappers.
Initial arrests made during the investigation reportedly exposed the operational structure of the kidnapping syndicate, leading to a series of follow-up operations that resulted in the apprehension of additional suspects linked to the criminal enterprise.
The case has attracted widespread public attention due to the high-profile status of the victim and the circumstances surrounding his abduction and subsequent killing.
Earlier investigations had also led to the arrest of multiple suspects, including the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State, Mr. Simbad Ogbuatu, whose bank account was allegedly linked to ransom negotiations carried out while the monarch was being held captive.
Security agencies are currently working to determine the extent of involvement of each suspect as investigations continue.
Police authorities have reassured residents that efforts are ongoing to track down other fleeing members of the gang and ensure that all those connected to the crime are brought to justice.
“The Command assures the public that investigations are ongoing and that all individuals connected to the crime will be apprehended and made to face the full weight of the law,” the statement added.
The killing of the monarch has sparked widespread concern across Ebonyi State, with community leaders and security stakeholders calling for stronger security measures to curb kidnapping and organised violent crimes in the region.
Law enforcement authorities said the ongoing operation forms part of a broader strategy aimed at dismantling criminal networks operating within the state and restoring public confidence in the security architecture.
