The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested a suspected ringleader linked to the kidnapping and killing of a traditional ruler, His Royal Highness, Francis Igwe.
The command disclosed that the arrest followed ongoing investigations and intelligence gathering by security operatives.
According to the police, on March 7, one of the suspects guided operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad to a hideout believed to be connected to the criminal group.
A search of the premises led to the recovery of several items, including a submachine gun, a pump-action rifle, three locally fabricated Beretta pistols, 11 rounds of 9mm live ammunition, a shovel and various charms.
The development was made known in a statement released on Tuesday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu, and made available to journalists in Abakaliki.
Ukandu explained that on March 8, operatives arrested the suspected mastermind, identified as Nwazunku Stephen, at his hideout in the Ikwo area after days of surveillance and intelligence-driven operations.
He added that the suspect had begun cooperating with investigators and was providing valuable information to assist the ongoing investigation.
The police command assured members of the public that efforts were ongoing to track down other suspects linked to the crime, stressing that everyone involved would be brought to justice.
