•We’re not involved -IPOB
Dr. Chike Akunyili, the husband to late Prof. Dora Akunyili, who was former former Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Minister of Information before her death, has been killed by unidentified gunmen.
Reports had it that he was killed at Umuoji in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State in the evening of Tuesday, September 28, 2021.
According to reports, Dr Chike was attacked on his way from Onitsha.
His driver and escort were also killed in the attack.
A source, who was shattered by the murder, had cried: “God, please render the devil and his agents powerless and useless.”
Though details of the incident had yet to be fully known, the source, said to be close to the Akunyili family, disclosed the murdered widower was still at the University of Nigeria Nsukka Alumni Association (UNAA) where his late wife was honoured few hours before his sudden death.
“I was with this man yesterday at Sharon Hall, All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha. It was an occasion of University of Nigeria Nsukka Alumni Association (UNAA), Onitsha branch event where they honoured late Dora Akunyili.
“He spoke glowingly about Dora (Akunyili) and made a donation of N500,000 to the association. He was there with his son, Obum, now working with Anambra State government.
“We saw them off to the car and it was emotional when Obum hugged him tight as both of them separated to join their respective vehicles.
“Obum was in a white Hilux while the man was in a big Jeep (i think Prado). God have mercy!”
In a video making rounds on social media, the deceased could be seen in a pool of blood with a wide hole made from the impact of the suspected close range gunshot in his face.
His driver, escort and seven others were also killed during the attack.
The deceased’s brother, Cyril Akunyili, was said to have accused Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of being behind the assassination.
But IPOB denied responsibility for the killing through a statement by the group’s spokesman, Emma Powerful.
Powerful said: “We, the great family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), ably led by our great leader Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukkwu Kanu, wish to dissociate ourselves from the senseless killing of innocent citizens in Anambra State. We have no hands in the political killings going on. We have severally raised the alarm that some cruel politicians are hiding under the cloak of the situation in Biafra land to eliminate their political enemies and blame it on IPOB.
“We don’t know why wicked politicians, especially in Imo and Anambra states, will choose to slaughter their opponents and turn around and point accusing fingers at IPOB or the operatives of Eastern Security Network ESN.
“Politicians should leave us alone and settle their scores. No IPOB member or ESN operative is involved in such barbarity. We have no interest in their politics. Restoration of Biafra is our mandate!
“We also wish to clarify that IPOB has never issued an official statement that there would be no governorship election in Anambra State.
“Those peddling such rumour are not our members and should be ignored. Our position on the Anambra election will be made public at the right time through our normal channels of information dissemination. Anything contrary should be disregarded.
“Members of the public should stop believing social media fake stories purported to have emanated from IPOB. We are an organized movement and we don’t hide our position on any matter.
“Those who killed Dora Akunyili’s husband were the same people that killed Dora. They are the ones contesting the governorship election in Anambra State today.
“We have no issues with Chike Akunyili and we did not kill him. Those behind this act must stop this and stop using IPOB’s name. We don’t want anybody to blame IPOB because we must get them, this is pure political assassination going on in Anambra State. Agents are doing this to paint IPOB black in the face of the support and encouragement we are getting from our people.
“We know their plans and gimmick to discourage Biafrans who are encouraging and supporting us but it can’t work for them.
“In the near future those committing these atrocities in Imo and Anambra States will hear from IPOB and our people should not blame us because we must get them.
“Had IPOB issued a statement regarding the Anambra election, by now traitors would have been ranting that it was IPOB that killed APGA and APC members at Nnobi junction last week.
“It is obvious that those that burnt Anambra Government House and other parts of the state some years ago are back to use intimidations and killings to subdue their opponents ahead of the governorship election in Anambra State.”
