By Adesakin Adefemi
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has condemned the killing of a traditional ruler in Ebonyi State, describing it as a shocking and cruel act.
The victim, Eze Francis Igwe, was the father of Eric Kelechi Igwe, a former Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, and was murdered by his abductors after being kidnapped on March 1, 2026.
Umahi paid a condolence visit to the family of the late monarch, saying the incident was a reflection of the level of cruelty in society. “When I heard of this unfortunate occurrence, for me it was like a dream, a very, very deep dream. The whole episode is strange, the level of man’s inhumanity against man,” he said.
The minister recalled the role the royal father played during his time as governor of the state, describing him as a man of wisdom who contributed to stability within the state’s leadership. “He was a father to all of us. We worked very well with him during our struggles, giving us advice, fathering us and making sure that the squabbles you will see between deputy and governor never existed between us,” he said.
Umahi prayed for justice against those responsible for the killing, saying, “It is quite very shocking and my prayer is that all the people that did this, the wrath and judgment of God will be upon them.” He also commended the Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, for his response to the incident, saying the governor had shown commitment towards ensuring justice for the slain monarch.
The Nigeria Police Force confirmed that the monarch was killed by his abductors shortly after he was kidnapped. Two suspects were initially arrested, and they confessed that the monarch had been killed on March 2. Seven additional suspects were subsequently arrested, bringing the total number of suspects in custody to nine.
The Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, had led members of the State Executive Council on a condolence visit to the bereaved family, describing the killing as tragic and deeply saddening. He said those responsible for the crime had been apprehended and would face the full weight of the law.
The family of the late monarch expressed appreciation to Umahi for standing with them during their moment of grief. Eric Kelechi Igwe, the son of the late monarch, said, “On behalf of HRH Eze Igwe’s family and members of the cabinet, I want to thank you immensely for finding time to be here.”
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with many calling for justice and an end to violence in the state. The ADC has also expressed its condolences to the family of the late monarch.
The police are continuing their investigation into the incident, and the suspects are expected to face trial.
The nation is still reeling from the shocking news, and many are calling for increased security measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
