Ebonyi APC Spokesman Arrested For Kidnapping

Spokesman for Ebonyi State APC, Mr Simbad Ogbuatu has been arrested and taken into custody by the police after his name was mentioned in connection with a recent abduction incident in the state.

He was said to have played a role in the receipt of ransom after the traditional ruler of Ndufu-Alike community, Ikwo Local Government, Chief Francis Igwe was abducted and later killed.

The deceased monarch’s son, Kelechi Igwe served as Deputy Governor of the state from 2015 to 2023.

Team@orientactualmags.com learned that Governor Francis Nwifuru disclosed this on Saturday during a condolence visit to the family of the late monarch.

The governor noted that Ogbuatu came under investigation after security agencies discovered that the  bank account allegedly used to receive the ransom belongs to him.

 ‘During our party meeting, somebody whispered in my ear that the money paid was linked to the publicity secretary of the APC. I asked, ‘What?’ They said they were still investigating it, but wanted to know if they should go ahead with his arrest. I approved’ the governor said.

The embattled Publicity Secretary has however explained that his bank account was unknowingly used for the ransom collection by the kidnappers.

 ‘He said one of his boys, his personal assistant, called him to make a bank account available, and he gave the bank account to him. Later, he said the bank  account was for money from a land sale of about N200 million’ Governor  Nwifuru added.

Police later used the suspect’s phone to communicate with members of the alleged kidnap gang in an effort to track them down and one of the suspected kidnappers eventually called and accused Ogbuatu of collecting ransom without sharing it with members of the group.

The police told Ogbuatu what to say to trick the suspects into showing up a meeting point which they did.

Police arrested members of the gang who reportedly arrived at the location to collect their share of the ransom and they later disclosed that they contacted Ogbuatu through one of their members who worked as his personal assistant-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079,  08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you