The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a major breakthrough in the investigation into the April 10 murder of the Ochia monarch, HRH Eze Barrister Paulinus Ekwueme, Ochia I of Ochia Kingdom, and five others in Ohaji/Egbema, Imo State, with the alleged kingpin of the criminal gang linked to the killings killed in a gun battle with police operatives.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, August 8, 2026.
The suspect, identified as Ojiogu Elumah Martin, popularly known as “Acid”, was killed during a tactical operation by operatives of the Special Tactics Squad of the Force Intelligence Department (STS-FID) in the early hours of Thursday, August 6.
The operation followed actionable intelligence gathered by the police as part of intensified efforts to dismantle the criminal syndicate allegedly responsible for the deadly attack.
According to the Nigeria Police Force, operatives conducted a series of coordinated operations between August 2 and 6, targeting members of the syndicate believed to be connected with the killings.
The operations culminated in the raid on the suspected hideout of “Acid” in Ohaji/Egbema, where the suspect reportedly engaged the operatives in a gun duel.
He sustained gunshot injuries during the encounter and subsequently died.
Police recovered one AK-47 rifle, three magazines and 56 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition from the scene.
The police identified “Acid” as an alleged leader of the criminal syndicate linked to the April 10 attack along the Asa/Awara Road, Ohaji/Egbema, where the monarch and five other victims were killed while returning to Owerri.
Four suspects had earlier been arrested over the incident, while two other alleged members of the syndicate reportedly died during previous encounters with the police.
With the latest development, the police said operations have been intensified to track down other fleeing members of the gang, determine the full extent of their involvement in the killings and recover additional weapons and intelligence that could aid the investigation.
The Force said it remained committed to ensuring that every individual found to have participated in the crime is brought to justice, while efforts would continue until the investigation is brought to a logical conclusion.
