The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested a man believed to be the main planner behind the kidnapping and murder of the traditional ruler of Ndufu Alike Ikwo, the late Ezeogo Francis Igwe.
According to the Command, the suspect, Nwazunku Stephen was captured after a period of intelligence gathering and surveillance by police operatives.
Igwe was reportedly abducted last Sunday while heading to church. His kidnappers later killed him after demanding a ransom.
Prior to Stephen’s arrest, the police had already detained nine other individuals in connection with the crime, including the state publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Tuesday.
Ukandu said one of the earlier suspects led operatives attached to the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad to a hideout where arms and other items were recovered.
He stated that the recovered items included one SMG rifle, one pump-action rifle, three locally made Beretta pistols, eleven rounds of 9mm live ammunition, ten live cartridges, a machete, a shovel and assorted charms.
Ukandu said, “In furtherance of the Command’s ongoing investigation into the kidnapping and murder of HRH Eze Francis Igwe, on 7th March 2026, one of the suspects led operatives of the Command attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad to his lair.
“During a search of the location, officers recovered one SMG rifle, one pump-action rifle, three locally made Beretta pistols, eleven rounds of 9mm live ammunition, ten live cartridges, a machete, a shovel, and assorted charms.
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“Furthermore, on 8th March 2026, operatives arrested one of the suspects and the alleged mastermind of the kidnapping and murder of the monarch, identified as Nwazunku Stephen, at his hideout in Ikwo after sustained surveillance and intelligence-led operations.
“The suspect has since provided useful information and is currently assisting the command in the ongoing investigation.
“The Command assures the public that investigations are ongoing and all those connected to the crime will be apprehended and brought to justice.”
This came a few days after the police announced that it arrested two suspects believed to be members of the kidnapping syndicate.
The police also revealed that the suspects confessed that the monarch had been killed on March 2.
“They further volunteered to lead operatives to their hideout and assist in recovering the monarch’s remains,” the police said.