Police Kill Suspected Gang Leader Linked to Murder of Imo Monarch, Five Others

The Nigeria Police Force says it has recorded a major breakthrough in the investigation into the April 2026 killing of an Imo monarch and five others in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of the state.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, August 8, saying operatives of the Special Tactics Squad, Force Intelligence Department (STS-FID), killed a suspected gang kingpin linked to the attack and recovered an AK-47 rifle and ammunition.

Iniedu said the operations were carried out between August 2 and 6, following actionable intelligence on members of the criminal syndicate allegedly connected to the killings.

According to him, operatives located the hideout of the suspected gang leader, identified as Ojiogu Elumah Martin, alias “Acid”, in Ohaji/Egbema in the early hours of August 6.

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He said the suspect engaged the operatives in a gun duel and sustained injuries during the encounter, which later resulted in his death.

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

Martin was identified as an alleged leader of the criminal syndicate linked to the April 10 attack in which HRH Eze Barrister Paulinus Ekwueme, Ochia I of Ochia Kingdom, and five others were killed along the Asa/Awara Road in Ohaji/Egbema while returning to Owerri.

The police said four suspects had previously been arrested in connection with the incident, while two other alleged members of the syndicate reportedly died in earlier encounters with security operatives.

The Force said the latest operation had intensified efforts to track down other members of the syndicate who remained at large.

“Following the latest operation, efforts have been intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate, establish the full extent of their involvement and recover further operational intelligence and exhibits,” the statement said.

The police assured that investigations would continue until all those linked to the killings were brought 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,” the statement added.