Simbad Ogbuatu, the state’s publicity secretary for the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been arrested by the Ebonyi State Government on suspicion of kidnapping and killing Chief Francis Igwe, the traditional ruler of the Ndufu-Alike community in Ikwo Local Government Area.
According to Naija News, Governor Francis Nwifuru made this revelation while paying condolences to the family of the deceased monarch, whose passing has caused anguish and indignation in the society.
Chief Igwe, the father of former Deputy Governor Kelechi Igwe, was kidnapped by suspected abductors and died in custody after allegedly being physically assaulted.
According to reports, armed men abducted the late monarch and demanded ransom from his family and colleagues.
He was apparently severely assaulted and killed while in the possession of his kidnappers, despite efforts to secure his release.
Ebonyi State was rocked by the incident, especially the Ndufu-Alike community, where the king was highly respected and influential.
According to Nwifuru, security agencies linked Ogbuatu to a bank account that was purportedly used during ransom discussions, making him a person of interest.
The governor claims that the information was disclosed at a party internal meeting.
“Someone whispered to me during our party meeting that the money paid was linked to the APC publicity secretary,” Nwifuru claimed.
“What?” I inquired. They stated that they were still looking into it, but they were unsure if they should arrest him. I gave my OK.
The governor further said that Ogbuatu allegedly acknowledged during questioning that one of the suspects, whom he identified as his personal assistant, had contacted him and asked for his bank account information.
The governor claims that the APC spokesperson first informed investigators that the funds anticipated in the account came from a land sale.
“One of his boys, his personal assistant, called him to give an account, and he gave the account the assistant asked him to give,” Nwifuru stated.
“He later stated that the account was for funds from a ₦200 million land sale.”
Investigators, however, reportedly thought that the account was actually used to pay the ransom during talks with the kidnappers.
The tactic allegedly culminated in an ambush, which led to the perpetrators’ apprehension.
He claimed that throughout the operation, individuals detained attested to having contacted Ogbuatu via his personal assistant.
According to the governor, inquiries into the complete circumstances of the monarch’s kidnapping and demise are still ongoing.
He reassured the community’s citizens and the grieving family that everyone involved in the crime will face punishment.
