Ogona Anita
The Nigeria Police Force has announced the arrest of the alleged mastermind behind the kidnapping and murder of HRH Eze Francis Igwe, the traditional ruler of Ndufu-Alike in Ikwo Local Government Area, Ebonyi State.
Eze Igwe, father of the immediate past Deputy Governor, Kelechi Igwe, was abducted on March 1, 2026, while on his way to church in his community. The monarch was reportedly killed just a day after the abduction.
In a statement on Tuesday, SP Joshua Ukandu, spokesperson for the Ebonyi State Police Command, said that following sustained surveillance and intelligence-led operations, police operatives arrested the suspect, identified as Nwazunku Stephen, at his hideout in Ikwo Local Government Area on March 8, 2026.
“The suspect has provided useful information and is currently assisting the command in ongoing investigations,” Ukandu said.
He added that on March 7, 2026, another suspect led the operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad to Stephen’s lair. During the search, police recovered a cache of weapons and items, including:
One SMG rifle
One pump-action rifle
Three locally made Beretta pistols
Eleven rounds of 9mm live ammunition
Ten live cartridges
A machete and a shovel
Assorted charms
SP Ukandu reassured the public that investigations are ongoing and vowed that all individuals connected to the crime will be apprehended and brought to justice.
“The command remains committed to ensuring that perpetrators of violent crimes against our citizens, especially traditional rulers, face the full weight of the law,” he said.
