Police block payouts as 40 insurance policies emerge in Oshana murder
Police have established that more than 40 people had taken out funeral insurance policies on the late Salom Nikanor (41), who was allegedly murdered and mutilated earlier this month, prompting authorities to move to block any payouts linked to his death.
Oshana police head of the Criminal Investigation Division, Fredrik Ndjadila, confirmed on Thursday that investigators uncovered an unusually high number of funeral policies registered in Nikanor’s name by different individuals from Okakwiyu village, where he resided before his death. Police suspect financial gain may have been a central motive behind the killing.
Ndjadila said investigators were informed that Nikanor had been seriously ill at some point prior to his death.
“Maybe they assumed he was going to die and used that opportunity,” he said.
Police further established that one policyholder had already received a payout, having insured Nikanor with four different insurance companies. That individual allegedly paid for the funeral tent and provided cattle for slaughter during burial arrangements.
Ndjadila said police are now engaging insurance companies to ensure that no further benefits are paid out in Nikanor’s name.
Nikanor’s family buried him last weekend without all his body parts, citing financial constraints and emotional exhaustion.
His body was discovered floating in a water pan near the Oluno Correctional Facility on 4 January, with parts of his body, including his testicles, removed.
Police have also established that the accused, Andreas Sunday Kanyanga (25), allegedly took out a funeral insurance policy for Nikanor despite not being related to him.
Ndjadila earlier confirmed that investigators found clear signs of foul play at the scene, including vehicle tracks and footprints believed to be linked to attempts to conceal evidence.
“A physical examination revealed bloodstains on the deceased’s trousers and the absence of his testicles. Further investigation confirmed that the scrotum had been cut open and the testicles removed,” he said.
Ndjadila added that the two men grew up together in the same community as friends and that the motive may be linked to financial issues and alcohol consumption. The testicles were allegedly destroyed at the suspect’s house, together with the blade used in the act.
Kanyanga appeared in the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court earlier this month and was denied bail due to the seriousness and brutality of the offence. The matter was postponed to 18 June 2026.
Police said investigations into both the insurance scheme and the murder are continuing.
Oshana police head of the Criminal Investigation Division, Fredrik Ndjadila, confirmed on Thursday that investigators uncovered an unusually high number of funeral policies registered in Nikanor’s name by different individuals from Okakwiyu village, where he resided before his death. Police suspect financial gain may have been a central motive behind the killing.
Ndjadila said investigators were informed that Nikanor had been seriously ill at some point prior to his death.
“Maybe they assumed he was going to die and used that opportunity,” he said.
Police further established that one policyholder had already received a payout, having insured Nikanor with four different insurance companies. That individual allegedly paid for the funeral tent and provided cattle for slaughter during burial arrangements.
Ndjadila said police are now engaging insurance companies to ensure that no further benefits are paid out in Nikanor’s name.
Nikanor’s family buried him last weekend without all his body parts, citing financial constraints and emotional exhaustion.
His body was discovered floating in a water pan near the Oluno Correctional Facility on 4 January, with parts of his body, including his testicles, removed.
Police have also established that the accused, Andreas Sunday Kanyanga (25), allegedly took out a funeral insurance policy for Nikanor despite not being related to him.
Ndjadila earlier confirmed that investigators found clear signs of foul play at the scene, including vehicle tracks and footprints believed to be linked to attempts to conceal evidence.
“A physical examination revealed bloodstains on the deceased’s trousers and the absence of his testicles. Further investigation confirmed that the scrotum had been cut open and the testicles removed,” he said.
Ndjadila added that the two men grew up together in the same community as friends and that the motive may be linked to financial issues and alcohol consumption. The testicles were allegedly destroyed at the suspect’s house, together with the blade used in the act.
Kanyanga appeared in the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court earlier this month and was denied bail due to the seriousness and brutality of the offence. The matter was postponed to 18 June 2026.
Police said investigations into both the insurance scheme and the murder are continuing.
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