Incessant Banditry, Killings in Imo: NPF Special Operatives Neutralise Bandit Kingpin, Nab Four Gang Members, Recover Arms and Ammunition
By Raheem Ibrahim
In an effort to restore peace to the troubled Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, the Special Tactical Squad Force Intelligence Department (STS FID) of the Nigeria Police Force has raided the community and neutralised a suspected bandit kingpin, Ojiogu Elumah Martin, also known as “Acid”.
According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Ani Iniedu, on August 8, 2026, the operation, conducted on August 6, 2026, was led by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Victor Ogbeide Godfrey, following the directive of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu.
The FPRO said the operation was part of efforts to arrest members of a criminal group allegedly responsible for several killings, including the murder of HRH Eze Barrister Paulinus Ekwueme, Ochia I of Ochia Kingdom, his security guards and other victims.
According to Iniedu, STS FID operatives stormed “Acid’s” hideout at about 1:30 a.m. on August 6. The suspect allegedly opened fire when he sighted the operatives, resulting in a gun battle that lasted several hours before he was neutralised.
The police recovered one AK 47 rifle, three magazines and 56 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition from the scene. Other suspected members of the gang reportedly escaped into the forest.
Preliminary investigations, according to the police, indicate that “Acid” allegedly led a criminal group linked to several killings and violent crimes in Ohaji/Egbema and neighbouring communities between 2024 and 2026.
The Force said four suspects had earlier been arrested, while two other suspected members of the group had been neutralised during previous operations. One of those arrested was Chinwendo Mirabe, also known as “K2”.
Police said information obtained following K2’s arrest linked “Acid” to the alleged killing of Emeka Ebere Nwaele on May 12, 2026. Nwaele was allegedly killed after “Acid” suspected that he had provided information that helped the police arrest one of his gang members.
The police are also investigating the group’s alleged involvement in several other killings, including those of Chikaire Domandu, also known as “Asari”, in October 2024; Chimezie Uchenna and Ezeugo Umah around the same period; Domandu and Uma in December 2024; Ibo Sunday in June 2025; and Nwaugo Ngozi, popularly known as “Igbo”, in May 2025.
The group is further being investigated over an attack on the business premises of ThankGod Terry on July 10, 2026, during which the shop was allegedly set ablaze.
Police investigations also link the group to the April 10, 2026, killing of HRH Eze Barrister Paulinus Ekwueme, Ochia I of Ochia Kingdom, and five other persons along the Asa/Awara Road in Ohaji/Egbema.
The other victims were identified as Amadi Uchechukwu Emmanuel, a traditional leader of Achia; Onyivara Maduabuchi Jornadad, a cabinet chief of Ochia; Gift Broaddic; Abraham Lincoln; and Otor Benjamin.
The police said Eze Ekwueme had returned to Nigeria after spending about five years in the United States and was allegedly attacked after attending a meeting at Ochia while travelling towards Owerri.
The Force said investigations are continuing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the killings and other crimes allegedly linked to the group.
The Nigeria Police Force assured residents of Ohaji/Egbema and the wider public that efforts would continue to apprehend members of the gang who escaped during the operation.
It urged members of the public to provide useful information that could assist in apprehending the fleeing suspects and preventing further criminal activities.
