By Opeyemi Adelakun
The Nigeria Police Force says it has made a major breakthrough in the investigation into the killing of the Ochia I of Ochia Kingdom, HRH Eze Paulinus Ekwueme, and five others in Ohaji/Egbema, Imo State.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Aniete Iniedu, said on Saturday that a suspected leader of the criminal syndicate allegedly connected to the killings was killed during a gun battle with police operatives.
Iniedu identified the suspect as Ojiogu Elumah Martin, popularly known as “Acid”.
According to the police spokesperson, operatives of the Special Tactics Squad and Force Intelligence Department conducted a series of intelligence-led operations between August 2 and 6, 2026, targeting members of the syndicate allegedly involved in the attack.
The operation reached a climax in the early hours of August 6 when the operatives located the suspected kingpin’s hideout in Ohaji/Egbema.
“The suspect engaged the operatives in a gun duel and sustained injuries during the encounter, which subsequently led to his death,” Iniedu said.
Police said an AK-47 rifle, three magazines and 56 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were recovered from the scene.
The Force said Martin was allegedly the leader of the criminal group linked to the April 10 attack in which the monarch and five others were killed along the Asa/Awara Road in Ohaji/Egbema while returning to Owerri.
The police said the latest operation was part of sustained efforts to dismantle the syndicate and establish the roles played by its members in the attack.
Four suspects had previously been arrested in connection with the case, while two other members of the group were reportedly killed during earlier encounters with the police.
The Force said the latest development had triggered renewed efforts to track down other members of the syndicate who fled their hideouts.
According to Iniedu, the police are also working to recover additional weapons and operational intelligence that could help establish the full extent of the suspects’ involvement in the killings.
He said the Nigeria Police Force remained committed to ensuring that anyone found to have links with the crime would face 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.
The monarch and the five other victims were killed on April 10 along the Asa/Awara Road in Ohaji/Egbema, an incident that triggered a police investigation and subsequent operations against suspected members of the criminal syndicate.
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