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Special Tactics Squad, Force Intelligence Department (STS-FID) of the Nigeria Police Force have wasted a suspected gang kingpin and one of the alleged killers of the traditional ruler of Ochia Kingdom in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, HRH Eze Barr. Paulinus Ekwueme.

In a statement issued in Owerri, the Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the police had recorded a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into the murder of the traditional ruler.

Iniedu said that, following actionable intelligence, operatives of the STS-FID conducted a series of operations between August 2 and 6, 2026, targeting members of the criminal syndicate allegedly linked to the incident.

He said the operations culminated in the early hours of August 6, 2026, when the operatives located the hideout of a suspected gang kingpin identified as Ojiogu Elumah Martin, alias “Acid”, in Ohaji/Egbema.

According to him, the suspect engaged the operatives in a gun duel and sustained injuries during the encounter, which subsequently led to his death.

He disclosed that one AK-47 rifle, three magazines and 56 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were recovered from the scene.

Iniedu said the suspect was identified as an alleged leader of the criminal syndicate linked to the April 10, 2026, attack in which the monarch and five others were killed along Asa/Awara Road, Ohaji/Egbema, while returning to Owerri.

He disclosed that four suspects had earlier been arrested in connection with the incident, while two others reportedly died during previous encounters with the police.

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The Osun State Police Command has arrested the state Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Mayowa Adejoorin, over the shooting that occurred during an All Progressives Congress rally in Ilesa on Saturday.

The arrest, however, has triggered a reaction from the Imole Campaign Council, the campaign organisation of Governor Ademola Adeleke, which accused the police of bias and alleged that the commissioner was being politically targeted.

The police spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, said Adejoorin was arrested after tactical officers intercepted a white Lexus 350 in connection with the incident.

Ojelabi told our correspondent that the shooting occurred after a vehicle bearing registration number OSHAO4 was parked near the APC rally and persons identified as Amotekun personnel allegedly emerged from it and opened fire.

He said some APC supporters chased the fleeing personnel, adding that one of those caught allegedly pulled out a knife and attempted to stab people before escaping.

Ojelabi said the matter was reported to the police, prompting tactical teams deployed to different locations in the area to respond.

He said, “There was a rally by APC in some parts of Ilesa. The rally was on when they discovered a vehicle parked beside them bearing a particular plate number, OSHAO4, and some people identified as Amotekun Personnel came out of the car and shot sporadically, and everybody ran for safety.

“So some brave men among those that were doing the rally chased those Amotekun personnel passengers.
The one they were able to catch drew out a knife and tried to stab anyone who came close to him, and he used that technique to escape.”

According to the police spokesperson, officers later intercepted the Lexus and arrested an Amotekun operative and another occupant, who were taken to the command headquarters.

He said interrogation established that the second occupant was Adejoorin.

Ojelabi said, “The matter was reported to the police, and based on our own, we already have our tactical teams on the ground. We have over four IRT tactical teams on the ground posted to different locations.

“So the IRT that was closer to that place responded to that incident. On getting to the scene, they saw a vehicle that was approaching them, a white Lexus 350.

“On intercepting the vehicle, they saw an Amotekun personnel in the vehicle. So they apprehended the vehicle, the personnel and one other person in the vehicle. They brought them straight to the headquarters here. On interrogation, it was discovered that the other occupant is Honourable Mayowa Adejoorin.”

The police said investigation had commenced to determine Adejoorin’s level of involvement in the incident.

Reacting to the arrest, the Imole Campaign Council accused the police command of indiscriminate arrests, intimidation and alleged abduction of Accord Party leaders and supporters across Ijesaland.

The council’s spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, addressing journalists in Osogbo alleged that Adejoorin was arrested outside Ilesa while travelling to Osogbo and claimed the police were acting on the instruction of a federal lawmaker.

Olajengbesi said the commissioner had earlier received a call from the lawmaker, during which he was allegedly threatened with arrest.

He said, “The latest victim of this alarming pattern is the Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Hon Mayowa Adejoorin, a prominent native of Ikiyinwa in Obokun Local Government Area of the state.

“The manner of his arrest is particularly disturbing. We consider what happened to Hon Adejoorin nothing short of a bandit-line abduction carried out under the cover of police authority.

“For some time now, we have witnessed a disturbing pattern in which prominent Accord leaders and supporters in Ijesaland are picked up by the Police on allegations that are apparently motivated by sinister political calculations, kept away from their families, communities and campaign activities, and thereby removed from circulation at a critical period of the electoral process.”

The campaign council called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to intervene and rein in the Osun State Police Command.

Questioning the basis for the arrest, Olajengbesi said, “On what basis was Hon Mayowa Adejoorin arrested? What offence has he committed?
What evidence exists against him?

“Why was his arrest carried out in such a manner? And why does the Police appear increasingly willing to deploy its powers only against Accord political leaders at this critical moment in our democratic process?

“We demand the immediate release of Hon Mayowa Adejoorin, as we believe, there is no lawful and credible basis for his abduction and detention.

“Let me also make this clear to the Police command and to the frustrated APC leaders who are sponsoring these actions: The Accord will not be intimidated. You may arrest our leaders. But you cannot arrest the will of the people.”

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The Independent National Electoral Commission has extended the deadline for political parties to submit the list of candidates for the 2027 governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections from Saturday, August 8, to Tuesday, August 11, 2026.

The commission announced the extension in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna.

According to INEC, the decision followed appeals by political parties for additional time to complete the submission process through the dedicated online portal.

“The submission window, which according to the revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the General Election was originally scheduled to close on Saturday, 8th August, 2026, has been extended to Tuesday, 11th August, 2026,” the commission said.

In a related development, INEC announced the suspension of PVC collection in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

The commission said voters who applied for replacement of lost, damaged or defaced Permanent Voter Cards would have until midnight on Sunday, August 9, to print downloadable copies of their cards.

The electoral body explained that the deadline was necessary to enable it compile data on downloaded PVCs and produce final statistics on the total number of cards collected ahead of the election.

INEC said PVC collection in Osun commenced at the Registration Area level from July 22 to 28, 2026, but was extended to July 31 following complaints about large crowds and difficulties experienced by voters at collection centres.

The exercise subsequently moved to the local government level and ran from August 1 to 7.

The commission also disclosed that replacement downloadable PVCs had been made available to voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas following the theft of cards during attacks on the two collection centres.

It stressed that the stolen cards could not be used to vote.

INEC reassured Osun residents of its preparedness for the August 15 governorship election.

“The commission reiterates that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.

“INEC reassures the people of Osun State of its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive governorship election on 15th August, 2026,” the statement said.