The Nigeria Police Force has revealed that one suspect, Ojiogu Elumah, was killed in a gun battle with security operatives in Imo State.
According to the command, the development represented a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into the murder of HRH Eze Barrister Paulinus Ekwueme and five others in Ohaji/Egbema, Imo State.
This was made known in a statement made available to newsmen by the Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, CSP Ani Iniedu.
“Following actionable intelligence, operatives of the Special Tactics Squad, Force Intelligence Department (STS-FID), conducted a series of operations between August 2 and 6, 2026, targeting members of the criminal syndicate allegedly linked to the incident.
“In the early hours of August 6, 2026, operatives located the hideout of a suspected gang kingpin, identified as Ojiogu Elumah Martin, alias ‘Acid’, in Ohaji/Egbema. The suspect engaged the operatives in a gun duel and sustained injuries during the encounter, which subsequently led to his death. One AK-47 rifle, three magazines and 56 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were recovered from the scene.
“The suspect was identified 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. Four suspects had earlier been arrested in connection with the incident, while two others reportedly died during previous encounters with the police.”
The command highlighted that, following the latest operation, efforts had 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 added that the Nigeria Police Force remained committed to ensuring that all persons found to be connected with the crime were brought to justice and that every effort was made to bring the investigation to a logical conclusion.
