Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has directed security agencies to secure the immediate rescue of abducted traditional ruler Francis Igwe.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Igwe, the traditional ruler of Ndufu-Alike in Ikwo Local Government Area, was seized by gunmen on Sunday morning while heading to church.
Igwe is the father of the immediate past Deputy Governor, Dr. Kelechi Igwe.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, the governor described the abduction as “deeply troubling and totally unacceptable.”
He said all security agencies had been directed to work in synergy to track the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
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“The state government will deploy all available apparatus to unmask those behind this criminal act and prevent any recurrence,” he said.
He urged residents, particularly in Ikwo and neighbouring areas, to remain calm but vigilant.
“They should provide useful information that could assist security agencies in their ongoing operations,” he added.
Nwifuru reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property, stressing that Ebonyi would not become a haven for criminals.
“The abductors should release the traditional ruler unconditionally, as the full weight of the law will be brought upon anyone found culpable,” he said.
He expressed confidence that, with public cooperation and security agencies’ dedication, the royal father would be safely reunited with his family.
“Acts of criminality against innocent citizens will not be tolerated,” the governor said, expressing solidarity with the traditional ruler’s family and the people of Ikwo.
He noted that intelligence gathering and coordinated patrols had already been intensified across vulnerable communities, while security checkpoints were being reinforced to prevent the abductors from escaping the state.
He further warned that anyone found aiding or harbouring the suspects would face prosecution, emphasising that the government would not tolerate any act capable of undermining peace and stability in the state.
Community leaders in Ikwo have also appealed for calm, assuring residents that efforts are ongoing to ensure the monarch’s safe return and restore normalcy to the area.
NAN
