By Odita Sunday
The Nigeria Police Force has uncovered what it described as a major breakthrough in the investigation into the killing of Emmanuel Nwanneniya, a former Chairman and land agent of Ikem Nando Community in Anambra State, alleging that a restricted veterinary sedative was used in the murder as five suspects were arrested.
The arrests followed a directive by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, who ordered the Force Intelligence Department’s Special Tactical Squad (STS) to intensify investigations into the gruesome killing.
Police said investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly procured and used a restricted veterinary sedative identified as S.P.L. Ketamine Hydrochloride 500mg/10ml during the commission of the crime. Detectives also said evidence obtained during the investigation pointed to a broader conspiracy linked to a long-running land dispute within Ikem Nando Community.
According to findings presented during a police parade, the crisis stemmed from disagreements over the management of proceeds generated from the sale of community land. Investigators said the money was shared among the community’s three clans, with one clan receiving about N39 million.
Police said a majority of community members resolved that the funds should be invested in the construction of a community hall and other development projects. However, opposition reportedly emerged from another faction, triggering prolonged disagreements, hostility and repeated threats against supporters of the initiative.
Investigators disclosed that respected elders and community leaders who backed the development projects allegedly became targets of intimidation, with reports of planned kidnappings made to the police before the murder occurred.
Although some suspects were earlier invited for questioning and later released after making statements, police alleged that tensions escalated instead of subsiding, eventually resulting in the killing of Emmanuel Nwanneniya.
The Coordinator of the Special Tactical Squad, ACP Victor Ogbeide Godfrey, said investigators believe the suspects lured the deceased under the pretext of negotiating the purchase of a large parcel of land.
According to the police, Nwanneniya honoured the invitation, believing he was meeting genuine buyers. Upon arrival, he was allegedly held at gunpoint, restrained and injected several times with the restricted veterinary sedative before being forced to surrender access to his mobile phone and banking applications.
Police credited the victim’s wife with providing one of the earliest breakthroughs in the investigation.
According to investigators, she informed officers that her husband had told her he was leaving home to inspect land with prospective buyers. When repeated phone calls went unanswered, she reportedly drove to the agreed location, where she found him lying motionless.
The Force said her statement, alongside digital evidence and intelligence analysis, helped investigators trace the suspects.
Speaking during the parade, members of Ikem Nando Community recounted what they described as months of threats and intimidation before the murder.
One of the community leaders, Chief Ejimofor, alleged that he had repeatedly received threats that he would be kidnapped because he supported the decision to channel the land proceeds into community development.
He said the threats had been reported to the police before Nwanneniya’s death and described the incident as a tragedy that has left residents living in fear.
The Community Youth Leader, Ikechukwu Onagor, also appealed to the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the death of his brother, whom he alleged was killed under circumstances connected to the same land dispute.
Police, however, stressed that the separate case remains under active investigation and that no conclusions have been reached regarding any possible connection.
Addressing journalists, ACP Victor Ogbeide Godfrey described the operation as another success for intelligence-led policing. He commended the operatives for their professionalism and acknowledged the operational support provided by IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, which he said contributed to the successful arrest of the suspects.
He also raised concerns over the alleged ease with which the restricted veterinary sedative was obtained, urging National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other regulatory agencies to strengthen controls over restricted substances to prevent their diversion for criminal purposes.
The Nigeria Police Force said investigations are continuing to identify and apprehend every individual connected with the alleged conspiracy. It added that despite the evidence gathered so far, all the suspects remain presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
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