The Nigeria Police Force has arrested five persons in connection with the alleged murder of Emmanuel Nwanneniya, a former chairman and land agent of Ikem Nando Community in Anambra State, saying preliminary investigations indicate the crime was linked to a long-running dispute over proceeds from community land sales.
The arrests were made by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department’s Special Tactical Squad (STS) following a directive from the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, according to a statement issued on Monday.
Police said the investigation uncovered evidence that the suspects allegedly used S.P.L. Ketamine Hydrochloride 500mg/10ml, a restricted veterinary sedative, in carrying out the killing.
Investigators believe the incident stemmed from disagreements over how money generated from the sale of community land should be utilised.
According to the police, the proceeds from the land transactions were shared among the three clans that make up Ikem Nando Community, with one clan receiving about ₦39 million. The community later resolved that the funds should be invested in projects, including the construction of a community hall.
However, the decision reportedly sparked opposition from another group within the community, leading to prolonged disagreements, threats and tension among residents.
Police said complaints of intimidation and kidnapping threats against some elders and community leaders had been received before Nwanneniya’s death.
According to investigators, the deceased was allegedly invited by the suspects under the pretext of inspecting land for a prospective sale.
Rather than meeting genuine buyers, police alleged that he was overpowered, restrained and repeatedly injected with the restricted sedative before being forced to surrender access to his mobile phone and banking applications.
The breakthrough in the investigation came after the victim’s wife informed detectives that her husband had gone to inspect land with people who claimed they wanted to buy it. When he failed to return and could no longer be reached, she reportedly drove to the meeting point where she found him lying motionless.
Police said her statement, alongside digital evidence and intelligence gathering, helped investigators identify and apprehend the suspects.
At the parade of the suspects in Abuja, some members of the community alleged that Nwanneniya’s death followed months of threats against individuals who supported using the land proceeds for community development.
A community leader, Chief Ejimofor, claimed he had also received kidnapping threats because of his support for the project, while the Community Youth Leader, Ikechukwu Onagor, urged police to investigate the death of his brother, which he alleged was connected to the same dispute.
The police said that separate case is still under investigation and no conclusions have been reached.
Speaking during the parade, the Coordinator of the Special Tactical Squad, ACP Victor Ogbeide Godfrey, described the operation as a major success for intelligence-led policing.
He also called on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other regulatory agencies to strengthen monitoring of restricted substances, expressing concern over how the veterinary sedative allegedly ended up in the hands of the suspects.
The Nigeria Police Force said investigations are continuing to identify anyone else linked to the alleged conspiracy, while stressing that all five suspects remain presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
