The Nigeria Police Force has announced the death of Ojiogu Elumah Martin, a suspected notorious bandit kingpin, popularly known as “Acid”, during an intelligence-led operation in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.
The police said the operation, conducted on August 6, 2026, also led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, three magazines and 56 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
According to the Force, the operation was carried out by operatives of the Special Tactical Squad–Force Intelligence Department (STS-FID), led by Victor Godfrey, Assistant Commissioner of Police, following a directive from Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
The operation was reportedly part of an investigation into a criminal network allegedly responsible for a series of killings and violent attacks in Ohaji/Egbema and neighbouring communities, including the April 10 killing of the traditional ruler of Ochia Kingdom, HRH Eze Barrister Paulinus Ekwueme, Ochia I, alongside five other persons.
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Ani Iniedu, Force Public Relations Officer, disclosed this in a statement issued at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Saturday.
The police said the operation followed intelligence gathered on the activities and location of the suspected kingpin.
At about 1:30 a.m. on August 6, operatives reportedly stormed Acid’s hideout in Ohaji/Egbema.
The suspect, according to the police, opened fire when he sighted the approaching operatives, triggering a gun battle that lasted several hours.
The operatives eventually neutralised Acid during the confrontation, while other members of his alleged gang escaped into the surrounding forest.
The police said the recovered AK-47 rifle, three magazines and 56 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were taken from the scene as part of evidence being examined in the ongoing investigation.
Preliminary investigations by the STS-FID have allegedly identified Acid as the leader of a criminal group suspected of involvement in several killings and other violent crimes between 2024 and 2026.
The Force said investigations into the network were still ongoing, with detectives working to establish the specific roles played by individual members and determine the full extent of the group’s activities.
Before the latest operation, the STS-FID said it had arrested four suspected members of the group and neutralised two others.
One of the suspects previously arrested was identified as Chinwendo Mirabe, also known as “K2”.
Police said information obtained following K2’s arrest led investigators to other alleged activities of the group, including the killing of Emeka Ebere Nwaele on May 12, 2026.
According to the police, Acid allegedly killed Nwaele after suspecting that he had provided information that facilitated the arrest of one of the gang’s members.
The allegation remains part of the wider investigation.
The police said the group is also being investigated in connection with several other killings recorded in Ohaji/Egbema and surrounding communities between 2024 and 2026.
Among the incidents being examined are the reported killing of Chikaire Domandu, also known as “Asari”, in October 2024, as well as the deaths of Chimezie Uchenna and Ezeugo Umah around the same period.
Investigators are also looking into the reported killings of Domandu and Uma in the first week of December 2024, Ibo Sunday in June 2025 and Nwaugo Ngozi, popularly known as “Igbo”, in May 2025.
The Force said other killings and violent incidents are also under investigation as detectives work to establish whether they were connected to the same criminal network.
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The suspected gang is also being investigated over an attack on the business premises of a man identified as ThankGod Terry on July 10, 2026.
Police said the premises were allegedly set ablaze during the incident.
Investigators are currently working to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack and determine the involvement, if any, of members of Acid’s alleged group.
The Force stressed that the information gathered so far remains subject to investigation and verification.
A major focus of the investigation is the April 10, 2026 killing of the Ochia monarch, Eze Paulinus Ekwueme, and five other persons.
The victims were reportedly attacked along the Asa/Awara Road in Ohaji/Egbema while travelling towards Owerri.
The police said the monarch had returned to Nigeria after spending approximately five years in the United States and had reportedly attended a meeting at Ochia before the fatal attack.
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.
According to the Force, the ongoing investigation has identified Acid as the suspected leader of the criminal group allegedly linked to the attack.
The police said the development formed part of the intelligence-led operation that culminated in the August 6 raid on his hideout.
The Nigeria Police Force said the death of Acid would not mark the end of the investigation, stressing that efforts were underway to track down other members of the group who escaped during the operation.
The Force said anyone found to have participated in the alleged crimes would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
It also assured residents of Ohaji/Egbema and the wider public that intelligence-led operations would continue against criminal groups across the country.
The police appealed to members of the public to provide credible information that could assist investigators in locating fleeing suspects and preventing further attacks.
