Gunmen have killed Chike Akunyili, the husband of late Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Dr. Dora Akunyili.
Available reports showed that Chike was killed on Tuesday night near Onitsha, the commercial nerve centre of Anambra State.
A source said: He went for his late wife’s memorial lecture in Onitsha and was going back to Enugu, that was when the thing happened.
“He was shot dead by gunmen.
“I don’t know how it happened.”
Chike’s brother, Cyril, in an Instagram post on Wednesday said: “IPOB (Indigenous People of Biafra) killed my senior brother.
“Why?
“Husband of Prof Dora Akunyili is dead.
“IPOB why on a Tuesday?”
Meanwhle, Anambra State Police Commissioner, Tony Olofu, has said the command will track down the killers of Dr. Chike Akunyili, who was killed on Tuesday evening in Onitsha.
In a statement by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, Olofu, who has visited the scene of the incident for on-the-spot-assessment, called for collaboration between the people and the police to fish out bad elements in the state.
Ikenga in the release said: “The Commissioner of Police Anambra State Command, Tony Olofu, today, 29th September, 2021, observed with grave concern, the series of security breaches that have taken place within the State, and has therefore ordered tactical Commanders of the Command to immediately put an end to the madness.
“He gave this order when he led senior police officers from the command on- the-spot assessment to the crime scenes.
“The CP while regretting the unfortunate loss of lives and valuables due to those senseless acts, has sued for calm, as the Command collaborates with other Security Agencies in State to decisively deal with the perpetrators, who seem to have lost every iota of human conscience and sensibility in them.
“He implores members of the public, particularly residents of the State, to continue to partner with the Police with a view of containing these atrocious acts, stressing that the Command is more than ever determined to flush out these undesirable elements and make the entire State safer for law-abiding citizens to go about their lawful businesses.”
Anambra has within three days witnessed several incidences of attacks by unidentified gun wielding men.
A team of Police Operatives attached to Aguata Area Command at about 2pm of Tuesday while on routine patrol duty along Ezinifite/Igboukwu road, were attacked by persons riding in two unmarked Sienna vehicle and a Toyota Hummer bus. The hoodlums set the patrol vehicle ablaze and fled the scene.
Also, there was a gun attack on a member of the public at about 5pm along Oko road. The attackers set the vehicle of the victim ablaze, leaving him with a bullet wound on his feet before escaping.
At about 4pm of same day, the undesirable elements, in an attempt to snatch a Lexus 350 from its driver along Agulu Road, shot the owner, abandoned the victim and the car and fled.
The incident at Nkpor, which claimed the life of Akunyili had also seen about nine other person’s lives being taken in the process.
Also, Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari says killers of Dr. Chike Akunyili, will face both the judgment of man, and that of God.
Chike, the husband of late former Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof Dora Akunyili, was murdered in Anambra State on Tuesday.
Buhari, in a statement issued by presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, said he was deeply saddened by the gruesome killing of Akunyili.
The President said he shared the pain of the offspring of Prof and Dr Akunyili, their families and friends whose lives would never remain the same after the inhuman and reprehensible act that happened in Onitsha, Anambra State.
Buhari added that he had fond memories of working with the late Dora Akunyili at the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) and that Nigerians would never forget the memory of the amazon, who distinguished herself as a courageous, dependable and patriotic citizen.
He enjoined security agencies and leaders of thought to work harder to bring an end to the violence being unleashed on innocent Nigerians.
The President assured the grieving families who lost their loved ones in the incident that the perpetrators of the “heinous act will face both the judgment of man, and that of God.”
In another development, Willie Obiano, Governor of Anambra State, has blamed “invaders” for the recent killings in the state, including the attack on Chike Akunyili, husband of the late Dora Akunyili, ex-minister of Information and Communications.
Chike Akunyili was killed on Tuesday, following an attack by gunmen in Anambra.
Obiano, in a state broadcast on Wednesday, condemned the killing, and said he believes that Anambra people are not behind such attacks.
He announced a N20 million reward for information on the perpetrators, and urged security agencies to speed up efforts to find the attackers.
“It is on a very sad note that I address the state today to condemn in very strong terms, the violence that has been witnessed in Anambra in the past few days. Since last weekend, some armed persons have unleashed terror with sporadic attacks on innocent citizens in various parts of the state,” he said.
“From the briefings I have received from security commanders, offices of some political parties, branded campaign vehicles and individuals occupying them have been attacked with killings and burning of vehicles observed. Other innocent road users have become victims of this menace with many losing their lives and others, their properties.
“Between Sunday 26th and yesterday, 28th September, 2021, attacks on citizens at Oko, Agulu, Obosi, Nkpor, Nnobi, Nnewi and other places have left about 10 people dead, including an illustrious son of this state, Dr Chike Akunyili, husband of late professor Dora Akunyili, who was reportedly gunned down yesterday around Nkpor.
“These are our own people dying every day and for what reason? Ndi Anambra, these attacks and accompanying deaths cannot be justified and must stop now. I have therefore conducted an extensive security meeting and have directed all security agencies to step up and confront this monster ravaging our land.
“To reinforce our commitment and seriousness on this issue, I, on behalf of the state government, wish to announce a N20 million reward for any useful information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators of these heinous attacks on our state. I urge citizens to report to us, anybody bearing firearm who is not a security or vigilante personnel, so we can deal with this monster, once and for all. Call 07039194332 or approach any security deployment if you have any information.
“I urge all citizens of the state to unite in this fight against all forms of terror, intimidation and tyranny. We will not succumb to invaders as I am convinced that no Anambra son will indulge in this kind of heartlessness. I warn all those promoting and participating in these violent attacks to leave our state or pay a high price as we will definitely catch up with them.”
He expressed condolences to the families of victims, and called on “youths, traditional rulers, presidents-general, clergymen, vigilante groups and all leadership structures” to support the efforts of security agencies to restore order to the state.
In a related development, President Muhammadu Buhari, in a statement issued on Wednesday by Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, has directed security agencies to find the perpetrators.
“The President shares the pain of the offspring of Prof and Dr Akunyili, their families and friends whose lives will never remain the same after the inhuman and reprehensible act that happened in Onitsha, Anambra State,” the statement reads.
“President Buhari has fond memories of working with the late Dora Akunyili at the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) and Nigerians will never forget the memory of the amazon, who distinguished herself as a courageous, dependable and patriotic citizen.
“Enjoining security agencies and leaders of thought to work harder to bring an end to the violence being unleashed on innocent Nigerians, the President assures the grieving families who lost their loved ones in the incident that the perpetrators of the heinous act will face both the judgment of man, and that of God.”
