Operatives of the Special Tactical Squad, Force Intelligence Department, have killed a suspected bandit leader, Ojiogu Elumah Martin, popularly known as “Acid”, during a gun battle at his hideout in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.
Acid was killed in the early hours of August 6, 2026, after police linked him to a series of killings and other violent crimes in the area.
The police also linked him to the alleged burning of construction equipment and attacks on oil facilities in Ohaji/Egbema.
According to the police, investigations into the activities of Acid and members of his group led to the operation at his hideout.
The suspect was being investigated over the alleged burning of equipment belonging to Waltersmith Industrial Park during construction work along the Awarra Road.
Among the equipment allegedly destroyed were a Caterpillar machine and a bulldozer.
Investigators also linked Acid to the alleged burning of equipment belonging to Oilserv. An excavator, Caterpillar machine and welding machine were reportedly destroyed in the attack.
The police are also investigating claims that Acid and members of his gang were behind the sabotage of the Shell Trans-Niger Pipeline around the Awarra-Rumekpe axis.
He was further linked to alleged repeated vandalism of Seplat pipelines and facilities in the area.
A police source said investigators were looking into the circumstances surrounding the alleged attacks, including claims that the group resorted to vandalism after some of its demands were allegedly ignored.
The police stressed that the allegations were still being investigated.
Acid was said to have operated with a group that investigators linked to several killings and other violent crimes in Ohaji/Egbema and neighbouring communities between 2024 and 2026.
Before his death, the police said four members of the group had been arrested while two others had been killed during previous operations.
One of the suspects arrested was identified as Chinwendo Mirabe, also known as “K2”.
The police said information obtained during the investigation following K2’s arrest helped them to close in on Acid.
Acid was also being investigated over the alleged killing of Emeka Ebere Nwaele on May 12, 2026.
According to the police, Acid allegedly suspected that Nwaele had provided information that led to the arrest of one of his gang members.
The investigation also covers several other killings allegedly linked to the group, as well as the July 10 attack on the business premises of one ThankGod Terry, which was reportedly set ablaze.
Acid was also named by investigators as a suspect in the April 10 killing of the Ochia monarch, HRH Eze Barrister Paulinus Ekwueme, Ochia I of Ochia Kingdom, and five others.
The victims were attacked along the Asa/Awara Road in Ohaji/Egbema.
The monarch was said to have returned to Nigeria after spending about five years in the United States and was allegedly attacked while travelling towards Owerri after attending a meeting in Ochia.
The other victims were identified as Amadi Uchechukwu Emmanuel, Onyivara Maduabuchi Jornadad, Gift Broaddic, Abraham Lincoln and Otor Benjamin.
During the operation that led to Acid’s death, the police said he opened fire on the operatives, leading to a gun battle that lasted several hours.
One AK-47 rifle, three magazines and 56 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were recovered from the scene, while other members of the group escaped into the forest.
The police said efforts were underway to track down the fleeing suspects and establish their roles in the various incidents under investigation.
The Force urged residents with useful information on the whereabouts of the suspects to assist the police.
