ABUJA, Nigeria — Fred Chukwuelobe, media aide to Chris Ngige, has confirmed that the former governor of Anambra State and ex-minister of labour and employment is currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, dismissing reports that he had been kidnapped.
Rumours circulated late on Monday, December 8, 2025, suggesting that Ngige had been abducted by unidentified assailants, prompting widespread concern and a flurry of inquiries.
Chukwuelobe said he had been inundated with calls from friends, colleagues and journalists seeking clarification.
“I have been receiving calls in the past hour from friends and journalists seeking the veracity of the news making the rounds that His Excellency, Dr. Chris Ngige, former governor of Anambra state and immediate past minister of labour and employment, ‘has been kidnapped’,” he wrote in a Facebook post.
“Ngige is with the EFCC. He was not ‘abducted’ or ‘kidnapped’.”
He added that further details would be provided in due course.
Dele Oyewale, spokesperson for the EFCC, did not respond to calls or text messages seeking comment when reached.
Ngige’s presence in EFCC custody follows a series of security incidents involving the former minister.
On Thursday, November 27, 2025, his convoy was attacked along the Nkpor–Nnobi road in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Gunmen disguised in police and army uniforms opened fire on the escorts, killing a woman who was recording the incident and injuring a police officer and several civilians. Ngige was not travelling with the convoy at the time.
The circumstances of his current detention, including the reasons for his arrest and the nature of the EFCC’s investigation, remain unclear.
The anti-graft agency has not issued an official statement confirming or denying the development.
