The Ebonyi State Government has confirmed the arrest of the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Mr. Simbad Ogbuatu, over his alleged involvement in the kidnap and killing of a traditional ruler in the state.
Governor Francis Nwifuru disclosed this during a condolence visit to the family of the late traditional ruler of Ndufu-Alike community in Ikwo Local Government Area, Francis Igwe.
The monarch, who was also the father of former Deputy Governor of the state, Kelechi Igwe, was reportedly abducted by suspected kidnappers and later died in captivity after sustaining injuries from a physical assault allegedly carried out by the leader of the gang.
According to the governor, the APC publicity secretary came under investigation after security agencies traced a bank account allegedly used during ransom negotiations to him.
Mr. Nwifuru said the information linking Mr. Ogbuatu to the case first came to his attention during a party meeting, when security operatives hinted that the ransom money had been connected to the party official.
He said security agencies later sought approval to arrest the suspect while investigations were ongoing, which he granted.
The governor explained that although he initially believed the allegation might be unfounded, he directed the operatives to bring the suspect in for questioning.
He added that Mr. Ogbuatu initially evaded arrest after security operatives tracked him late at night but promised to present himself the following day. He was later taken into custody by the police for interrogation.
According to the governor, the suspect admitted during questioning that he provided his bank account details after being contacted by one of the suspected kidnappers, said to be his personal assistant.
Mr. Ogbuatu reportedly told investigators that he gave the account details at the request of the aide without knowing the purpose for which it would be used.
However, suspicion grew after he allegedly claimed the money expected in the account was related to proceeds from a land transaction estimated at about N200 million.
Security operatives subsequently used the suspect’s phone to communicate with members of the kidnap gang as part of efforts to track them down.
During the operation, one of the kidnappers reportedly called the phone and accused the suspect of collecting the ransom money without sharing it with other members of the gang.
Police officers then instructed the suspect on what to say during the call in order to lure the gang members to a meeting point.
Following the conversation, the police arranged a meeting location and set up an ambush. Suspected members of the kidnap gang who arrived at the location expecting to receive their share of the ransom were arrested.
During interrogation, the suspects reportedly told investigators that they contacted Mr. Ogbuatu through one of their members who worked as his personal assistant.
According to Governor Nwifuru, the suspects claimed they had informed the APC official that the money to be paid into the account was ransom from a kidnapping operation.
Security agencies are continuing investigations into the circumstances surrounding the monarch’s death and the alleged roles of those linked to the crime.
Meanwhile, the APC leadership in Ebonyi State has expressed shock over the alleged involvement of the party official.
The APC Chairman in the state, Stanley Okoro-Emegha, expressed the party’s position during a condolence visit to the late monarch’s family in Ndufu-Alike.
He described the development as shocking and said the party would support efforts by the state government to ensure justice for the victim’s family.
Mr. Okoro-Emegha also condemned the incident, stressing that the party would not condone criminal acts regardless of who was involved.
The Palace Secretary of the community, Johnson Aloh, thanked the APC delegation for the visit and described the incident as devastating for both the palace and the community.
He noted that the state had long been considered peaceful and expressed hope that those responsible would be brought to justice.
