Police Confirm Death of Abducted Ebonyi Monarch, 9 in Custody

From Nabob Ogbonna, Abakaliki

The Ebonyi State police command has confirmed that the abducted father of a former Deputy Governor of the state , Kelechi Igwe, has been killed by his abductors.
The deceased, Francis Igwe, was the traditional ruler of Ndufu-Alike in Ikwo Local Government Area of the state.
The monarch was abducted on Sunday while on his way to church.
According to a statement released on Friday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, nine suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident, which has thrown the people of the area into a state of mourning.
Ukandu explained that the deployment of technical and intelligence assets led to the arrest of two suspects believed to be members of the kidnapping syndicate.
He said that during interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed that the monarch was killed on March 2 by the hoodlums.
The two suspects also volunteered to lead operatives to their hideout, which led to the recovery of the monarch’s remains.
“However, while approaching the hideout, other gang members allegedly opened fire on the police team.
“The operatives responded with superior firepower, overpowering the criminals during the gun battle.
“In the course of the confrontation, one of the hoodlums was neutralised, while others fled the scene,” he said.
The police spokesman added that seven additional suspects were later arrested, bringing the total number of suspects in custody to nine.
He also confirmed that one locally made pistol was recovered during the operation.
Ukandu said the remains of the slain traditional ruler had been recovered and deposited in a morgue for autopsy.
The suspects are currently in police custody, while efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing gang members.
He added that the suspects would be charged in court after the conclusion of investigations.