Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Jevaun Rhashan
Mr. Francis Igwe, a respected elder and father of Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe, a former Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, was abducted by gunmen in the early hours of Sunday while on his way to church in his home community of Ndufu‑Alike in Ikwo Local Government Area, police and local officials confirmed.
According to the Nigeria Police Force, the incident occurred on Sunday morning as the 80-plus-year-old Igwe was driving to attend Sunday service. Eyewitness accounts indicate that armed riders on a motorcycle intercepted his vehicle along a rural road, forced him out of the car, and whisked him away toward an unknown location.
Police spokesman SP Joshua Ukandu confirmed the kidnapping, describing it as “very unfortunate” and saying that operatives of the Ebonyi State Command had been mobilised to the area to lead an intensive manhunt aimed at securing his release. Ukandu noted that detectives and response teams were actively combing the surrounding bush tracks and major highways out of Ikwo LGA as part of a coordinated search.
Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area, Sunday Nwankwo, also confirmed the abduction, saying the council was working closely with security agents and local stakeholders to gather intelligence that could lead to Mr. Igwe’s safe recovery. He appealed to residents to remain calm and to volunteer credible information that could assist the ongoing efforts.
People familiar with the situation told reporters that Mr. Igwe was stopped abruptly on a village road as gunmen on a motorcycle blocked his path. After forcing him into their custody, they sped off into thick vegetation and forested areas that dominate much of Ebonyi’s rural terrain — a pattern common to similar kidnappings in the region. His current whereabouts continued to be unknown at the time of the latest reports.
The abduction has deepened concerns about escalating insecurity in parts of Ebonyi State that border forest belts and rural corridors frequently exploited by criminal networks. While kidnapping is more pervasive in northern Nigeria, southeastern states such as Ebonyi have seen intermittent high-profile abductions in recent years, causing alarm among residents and authorities alike.
Community residents described a climate of shock and apprehension following the news of Mr. Igwe’s disappearance, particularly given his status as a prominent elder and father of a senior political figure. Many expressed distress that the incident occurred during Sunday morning routines, a time they expected to be relatively peaceful. Local leaders have urged security agencies to intensify patrols and intelligence operations throughout Ikwo and surrounding local governments, noting that rural road networks and bush paths present ongoing vulnerabilities.
Ebonyi State police and allied security units have reportedly activated mobile squads to monitor movement along key transit routes, including the Abakaliki–Amasiri Road and other rural connectors known to be used by kidnappers to move abductees across jurisdictional boundaries. Additional checkpoints and surveillance posts have been established in an attempt to intercept any suspicious movements.
No official ransom demands had been communicated publicly as of the latest reports, and security sources did not disclose whether kidnappers had initiated contact with family members. Police and local officials repeatedly encouraged residents not to engage with or negotiate directly with suspected kidnappers, advising that all credible leads should be passed to law enforcement.
The case has drawn wider attention across the state, with human rights advocates highlighting the broader implications for rural security and the protection of vulnerable citizens. Family members and supporters of Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe have appealed for prayers and restraint from public speculation that could compromise ongoing rescue efforts.
As the search continues, authorities pledged to sustain pressure on criminal elements, utilising community intelligence, patrol operations, and coordinated tips to locate and recover Mr. Igwe safely. The unfolding situation remains fluid, and further details are expected as investigations progress.
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