The Ebonyi State Government has confirmed that the Ebonyi APC spokesman arrested in connection with the kidnapping and killing of the traditional ruler of Ndufu-Alike community in Ikwo Local Government Area, Chief Francis Igwe, is Mr Simbad Ogbuatu.
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, investigations revealed how the Ebonyi APC spokesman arrested became linked to the case after security agencies traced a bank account allegedly used during ransom negotiations to him.
Nwifuru said the information first came to his attention during a meeting of the All Progressives Congress in the state.
“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.
He explained that although he initially doubted the claim, he directed security operatives to invite the suspect for questioning.
During interrogation, the governor said 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.
The suspect reportedly told investigators that he did not know the account would be used to receive ransom money, claiming that the expected funds were meant to be proceeds from a land transaction.
“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 said.
Nwifuru further revealed that security operatives later used the suspect’s phone to communicate with members of the alleged kidnap gang in a bid to track them down.
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According to him, one of the suspects eventually called the phone and accused Ogbuatu of collecting the ransom money without sharing it with the group.
Security operatives then instructed him on what to say during the conversation to lure the suspects to a meeting point, where an ambush was set.
The governor said members of the gang arrived at the location expecting to collect their share of the ransom but were arrested by security agents.
He added that investigators were told that the suspects contacted Ogbuatu through one of their members who worked as his personal assistant.
Nwifuru said the Ebonyi APC spokesman arrested remains in custody as security agencies continue investigations into the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping and killing of the monarch.