Police Kill Suspected Gang Kingpin Over Imo Monarch’s Murder, Recover AK-47

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a major breakthrough in the investigation into the murder of the traditional ruler of Ochia Kingdom in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, HRH Eze Barrister Paulinus Ekwueme, Ochia I, and five others.

The breakthrough followed a series of intelligence-led operations conducted by operatives of the Special Tactics Squad, Force Intelligence Department (STS-FID), between August 2 and 6, 2026, targeting members of the criminal syndicate allegedly linked to the killings.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, August 8, 2026, saying the operations culminated in the death of a suspected gang kingpin identified as Ojiogu Elumah Martin, alias “Acid”.

According to Iniedu, operatives located Martin’s hideout in Ohaji/Egbema in the early hours of August 6, where the suspect engaged them in a gun duel and sustained injuries that later led to his death.

He said the police recovered one AK-47 rifle, three magazines and 56 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition from the scene.

The police identified Martin as an alleged leader of the criminal syndicate linked to the attack of April 10, 2026, in which the monarch and five others were killed along the Asa/Awara Road, Ohaji/Egbema, while returning to Owerri.

The Force said four suspects had earlier been arrested in connection with the incident, while two other suspects reportedly died during previous encounters with the police.

Iniedu said the latest operation had intensified efforts to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate, establish the full extent of their involvement and recover further operational intelligence and exhibits.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the police to bringing all persons found to be connected with the killings to justice.

“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to ensuring that all persons found to be connected with the crime are brought to justice and that every effort is made to bring the investigation to a logical conclusion,” he said.