Police Arrest 5 Suspects For Killing Anambra Community Leader

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested five suspects over the alleged murder of former chairman and land agent of Ikem Nando Community in Anambra State, Emmanuel Nwanneniya, in what investigators described as a carefully planned killing linked to a protracted community land dispute.

The arrests followed a directive by the inspector-general of police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, who ordered the Force Intelligence Department’s Special Tactical Squad (STS) to intensify investigations into the case.

Police said investigations revealed that a restricted veterinary sedative, identified as S.P.L. Ketamine Hydrochloride 500mg/10ml, was allegedly procured and used to incapacitate the deceased before he was killed.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, the coordinator of the Special Tactical Squad, ACP Victor Ogbeide Godfrey, described the arrests as another success for intelligence-led policing.

He commended the operatives involved in the investigation and acknowledged the operational support provided by the Inspector-General of Police.

ACP Godfrey also raised concerns over the alleged accessibility of the restricted veterinary sedative used in the crime, calling on National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and other regulatory agencies to strengthen oversight of controlled substances to prevent their diversion for criminal purposes.

According to the STS, the suspects allegedly lured the deceased by posing as prospective buyers interested in purchasing a large expanse of land. Believing he was attending a legitimate business meeting, Nwanneniya reportedly honoured the invitation.

Police alleged that upon arriving at the meeting point, he was overpowered at gunpoint, restrained and injected several times with the restricted veterinary sedative before the suspects allegedly compelled him to surrender access to his mobile phone and banking applications.

Investigators said the victim’s wife provided one of the earliest breakthroughs in the case.

She reportedly told detectives that her husband informed her he was going to inspect land with prospective buyers.

When he failed to return home and his telephone became unreachable, she drove to the agreed location, where she found him lying motionless.

Pp pooPolice said her statement, combined with digital evidence and intelligence analysis, enabled investigators to identify and trace the suspects.

Reacting to the arrest, the community’s youth leader, Ikechukwu Onagor also urged investigators to examine the death of his brother, which he alleged may be connected to the same land dispute.