The Ebonyi State Government has confirmed the arrest of Mr. Simbad Ogbuatu, the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping and killing of Chief Francis Igwe, the traditional ruler of Ndufu-Alike community in Ikwo Local Government Area.
Governor Francis Nwifuru disclosed this on Saturday during a condolence visit to the family of the late monarch. Chief Igwe, who was the father of a former Deputy Governor of the state, Kelechi Igwe, was abducted by suspected kidnappers and later died in their custody after reportedly sustaining injuries from physical assault.
According to the governor, security agencies traced a bank account allegedly used in the ransom negotiations to Ogbuatu, which led to his investigation. The link to the APC official first came to the governor’s attention during a party meeting.
“During our party meeting, somebody whispered to me that the money paid was linked to the publicity secretary of the APC. I asked, ‘What?’ They said they were still investigating it, but wanted to know if they should go ahead with his arrest. I approved,” the governor said.
Although he initially doubted the claim, Nwifuru directed security operatives to invite the suspect for questioning. During interrogation, Ogbuatu allegedly admitted that he provided his bank account details after being contacted by one of the suspects, who was said to be his personal assistant. He claimed he was unaware the account would be used for ransom payment and initially told investigators the expected funds were proceeds from a land transaction worth about N200 million.
“He said one of his boys, his personal assistant, called him to give an account, and he gave the account the assistant asked him to give. Later, he said the account was for money from a land sale of about N200 million,” the governor explained.
Security operatives later used the suspect’s phone to communicate with members of the alleged kidnapping gang in an effort to track them down. One of the suspects eventually called and accused Ogbuatu of collecting the ransom money without sharing it with the group.
Following police instructions, Ogbuatu engaged in the conversation to lure the suspects to a meeting point. Security forces laid an ambush and arrested gang members who arrived expecting to collect their share of the ransom.
The arrested suspects reportedly told investigators that they contacted Ogbuatu through one of their members who worked as his personal assistant.
Security agencies are continuing investigations into the circumstances surrounding the killing of the monarch and the alleged involvement of those linked to the crime.
