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KIDNAPPED EBONYI TRADITIONAL RULER FOUND DEAD AS POLICE ARREST KINGPIN

March 7, 2026 • Dons Eze • 1 min read

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The Ebonyi State Police Command on Friday confirmed that HRH Eze Francis Igwe, father of former deputy governor Barr. Kelechi Igwe, was killed by his abductors.

In a statement, Police Public Relations Officer SP Joshua Ukandu said multiple arrests have been made, including the kingpin of the kidnapping syndicate.

Following the monarch’s abduction on 1st March 2026, police launched intensive operations using technical and intelligence assets.

Two suspects were arrested and confessed that the monarch had been killed on 2nd March 2026.

They led officers to the gang’s hideout to recover the remains. However, upon approach, remaining gang members opened fire.

The policemen returned fire, neutralising one suspect while others fled. Subsequently, seven additional suspects were arrested, and a locally made pistol was recovered.

The remains of the late traditional ruler were retrieved and deposited at the morgue for autopsy.

The arrested suspects remain in custody, while efforts continue to apprehend the remaining gang members.

They will face prosecution once investigations conclude.

Dons Eze

DONS EZE, PhD, Political Philosopher and Journalist of over four decades standing, worked in several newspaper houses across the country, and rose to the positions of Editor and General Manager. A UNESCO Fellow in Journalism, Dr. Dons Eze, a prolific writer and author of many books, attended several courses on Journalism and Communication in both Nigeria and overseas, including a Postgraduate Course on Journalism at Warsaw, Poland; Strategic Communication and Practical Communication Approach at RIPA International, London, the United Kingdom, among others.