The Nigeria Police Force has uncovered how a community leader in Anambra State, Emmanuel Nwanneniya, popularly known as “Chairman”, was allegedly murdered after being injected with a restricted veterinary sedative.

Nwanneniya, a land agent in Ikem Nando Community, was allegedly killed in connection with a lingering dispute over community land, police investigations revealed.

Investigators said a restricted veterinary sedative, identified as S.P.L. Ketamine Hydrochloride 500mg/10ml, was procured and used in the commission of the crime.

The police also uncovered evidence pointing to a wider conspiracy surrounding the protracted community land dispute.

Following weeks of intelligence gathering, digital surveillance and coordinated tactical operations by the Force Intelligence Department’s Special Tactical Squad (STS), five suspects were arrested over their alleged involvement in the murder.

Police investigations revealed that the crisis stemmed from disagreements over the management of proceeds from the sale of community land.

According to investigators, the proceeds were shared among the three clans that make up Ikem Nando Community, with one clan receiving about N39 million.

Community members reportedly resolved by majority vote that the money should be invested in the construction of a community hall and other development projects.

A police source, however, said opposition soon emerged from another faction, leading to prolonged disagreements, hostility and repeated threats against those who supported the project.

“As tensions escalated, several respected members of the community allegedly became targets of intimidation,” the source said.

According to the police, reports had earlier been received alleging threats to kidnap elders and community leaders who supported the use of the land proceeds for community development.

Some of the suspects were invited for questioning, and their statements were obtained before they were released.

Investigators, however, alleged that rather than bringing peace to the community, the hostility intensified and eventually culminated in the murder of Emmanuel Nwanneniya.

According to police findings, the suspects allegedly devised a plan to lure the deceased under the guise of discussing the purchase of a large expanse of land.

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Believing he was meeting genuine buyers, Nwanneniya reportedly honoured the invitation.

Investigators alleged that upon his arrival, he was overpowered at gunpoint, restrained and injected several times with the restricted veterinary sedative before the suspects forced him to surrender access to his mobile phone and banking applications.

According to the deceased’s wife, her husband had informed her that he was leaving home to inspect land with prospective buyers.

When he failed to return and repeated telephone calls went unanswered, she became worried and drove to the agreed meeting point, where she found him lying motionless on the ground.

The Commander of the Special Tactical Squad, 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 the Inspector-General of Police, which enabled investigators to apprehend the suspects.

ACP Godfrey also expressed concern over the alleged ease with which the restricted veterinary sedative was obtained.

He called on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other regulatory agencies to strengthen oversight of controlled substances to prevent them from falling into the hands of criminals.