The Nigeria Police Force has uncovered what it describes as a chilling murder conspiracy involving the alleged use of a restricted veterinary sedative in the killing of an Anambra community leader, leading to the arrest of five suspects over what investigators say was a long-running dispute over community land proceeds.
The breakthrough followed a directive from the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, who ordered the Force Intelligence Department’s Special Tactical Squad (STS) to take over the investigation into the killing of Emmanuel Nwanneniya, a former Chairman and land agent of Ikem Nando Community in Anambra State.
During a parade of the suspects in Abuja, the police alleged that investigations uncovered the use of a restricted veterinary sedative identified as S.P.L. Ketamine Hydrochloride 500mg/10ml in the commission of the crime. Investigators said the substance was allegedly procured and administered to the deceased after he was lured to a meeting under false pretences.
According to the Coordinator of the Special Tactical Squad, ACP Victor Ogbeide Godfrey, the investigation revealed that the killing was allegedly rooted in a bitter disagreement over the management of proceeds from the sale of community land. He said the money realised from the land sales was shared among the three clans that make up Ikem Nando Community, with one of the clans receiving about N39 million.
Police said members of the community had resolved through a majority decision that the funds should be invested in constructing a community hall and other development projects. However, investigators alleged that the decision sparked opposition from another faction, leading to months of disagreements, hostility and threats against individuals who supported the proposed projects.
ACP Godfrey said investigators received reports that some respected members of the community were repeatedly threatened with abduction because of their position on the use of the land proceeds. Some individuals were invited for questioning and their statements obtained, but police alleged that the tension continued to escalate before culminating in the murder of Nwanneniya.
According to the police, the suspects allegedly invited the deceased to inspect a large expanse of land under the guise of a business transaction. Believing he was meeting prospective buyers, Nwanneniya reportedly honoured the invitation. Investigators alleged that upon arriving at the location, he was held at gunpoint, restrained and injected several times with the veterinary sedative before the suspects allegedly forced him to surrender access to his mobile phone and banking applications.
Police said one of the earliest breakthroughs in the investigation came from the victim’s wife, who informed detectives that her husband had left home after telling her he was going to meet prospective land buyers. When he failed to return and repeatedly did not answer his phone, she became alarmed and drove to the meeting point, where she found him lying unconscious. Investigators said her statement, together with digital evidence and intelligence analysis, helped detectives identify and track the suspects.
Members of Ikem Nando Community who attended the police parade described months of fear before the killing. One community leader, Chief Ejimofor, alleged that he had repeatedly received threats that he would be kidnapped because he supported using the land proceeds for community development. He said the threats had been reported to security agencies before Nwanneniya was killed, adding that the incident had left many residents living in fear.
Also speaking during the parade, the Community Youth Leader, Ikechukwu Onagor, urged the police to investigate the death of his brother, which he believes may be connected to the same dispute. The police said that matter remains under investigation and that no conclusion has been reached regarding any possible link between the two cases.
Addressing journalists, ACP Godfrey described the operation as another success for intelligence-led policing. He commended the operatives involved in the investigation and thanked the Inspector-General of Police for providing the operational support and resources that made the arrests possible.
The STS Coordinator also raised concern over the alleged availability of restricted veterinary drugs, calling on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other relevant regulatory agencies to strengthen oversight of controlled substances to prevent them from falling into the hands of criminal elements.
The Nigeria Police Force said investigations are continuing to identify every person connected to the alleged conspiracy and recover additional evidence. The Force stressed that although significant evidence has been obtained, all five suspects remain presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
