The Ebonyi State Government has confirmed the arrest of the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress in the state, Mr Simbad Ogbuatu, over his alleged involvement in the kidnapping and killing of the traditional ruler of Ndufu-Alike community in Ikwo Local Government Area, Chief Francis Igwe.

Governor Francis Nwifuru disclosed this on Saturday during a condolence visit to the family of the late monarch.

Igwe, who is 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, Ogbuatu came under investigation after security agencies traced a bank account allegedly used in the ransom negotiations to him.

Nwifuru said the information linking the APC official to the case first came to his 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.

He added that although he initially doubted the claim, he directed security operatives to invite the suspect for questioning.

According to the governor, Ogbuatu allegedly admitted during interrogation that he provided his bank account details after being contacted by one of the suspects, who was said to be his personal assistant.

The governor said the APC spokesman claimed he provided the account without knowing it would be used for ransom payment, adding that he initially told investigators the funds expected in the account were related to 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 disclosed that security operatives later used the suspect’s phone to communicate with members of the alleged kidnap gang in an effort to track them down.

He said one of the suspects eventually called the phone and accused Ogbuatu of collecting ransom money without sharing it with the group.

According to the governor, the police instructed Ogbuatu on what to say during the conversation to lure the suspects to a meeting point.

Security operatives subsequently laid an ambush and arrested members of the gang who reportedly arrived at the location expecting to collect their share of the ransom.

Nwifuru said the suspects later told investigators that they contacted Ogbuatu through one of their members who worked as his personal assistant.

Security agencies, he added, were continuing investigations into the circumstances surrounding the killing of the monarch and the alleged involvement of those linked to the crime. (Sunday PUNCH, excluding headline)

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