Nigerian Senate mourns Akunyili, directs IGP to arrest killers

Akunyili, a Medical Director of St. Leo Hospital, Enugu State, was the husband of Dora, who died some years after a protracted sickness.

He was killed alongside his driver and police escort at Umuoji in Idemili North LGA of Anambra State, on Tuesday evening, where he had gone to receive the honour conferred on his late wife, Dora, by the University of Nigeria Nsukka Alumni Association (UNAA).

A source, who was present at the venue of the award ceremony said that the event took place at the Sharon Hall, All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha, where the murdered widower made a donation of N500,000.

The upper chamber mourned the deceased following a point of order raised by Senator Uche Lilian Ekwunife (Anambra Central).

Coming under order 43 of the Senate Standing Rules – Personal Explanation, Ekwunife noted with concern that on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, Akunyili was gunned down in a most gruesome and horrifying manner at Afor Nkpor, Anambra State.

Consequently, the lawmakers urged the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the matter with to arresting the killers for prosecution.

Agbalanze (his traditional title) was killed by gunmen. May the Lord console the Akunyili family and Ndi Agulu in
general,” the source said.

Meanwhile, the Indigenous People Of Biafra, (IPOB), has said that it was not behind the killing of Akunyili, others in Anambra.

The group, through its spokesman, Comrade Emma Powerful, alleged those who allegedly killed the late Dora, were still after her family.

According to him, “IPOB is not unknown gunmen and regrets why people with evil agenda to the people of Biafra still link IPOB to the murderous group.”

Powerful also added that IPOB had no intention of fomenting trouble and warned those linking the group to unknown gunmen to desist from the false allegations.

“Dora Akunyili husband is not our problem and cannot be, let the Anambra people and Biafrans know that we have no business with Mazi Chike Akunyili.

“Those who poisoned his wife are still in the family because he has a mission to finish the family. Late prof. Dora Akunyili was killed with poison brought from Fulani terrorists who saw her as a stumbling block because she exposed the death of Yaradua an Igbo man who is among the contestants in the Anambra State election.

“It is unfortunate that those who planned and poison late Professor Dora Akunyili’s husband at Nkpor would link IPOB on this man’s death.

“It is important to note that IPOB is not unknown gunmen, we have disassociated ourselves from this group of unknown gunmen but people with evil agenda to the people of Biafra are still linking IPOB to this murderous group.

“IPOB doesn’t know anything about Dora Akunyili husband because we are not unknown gunmen, ESN was set up to protect and secure our mothers and sisters to go to the farms.

“Those doing this are trying to do it so our people will support IPOB, but Biafrans are wiser and know why traitors are doing it. We want to make it clear to them that IPOB is not behind the killing going on in Anambra State, it is politicians killing people in the state.

“IPOB has no intention of formenting trouble in our land, please we beg those linking us into this madness to desist because they will regret their actions soon.

“Let our people never blame IPOB when we get it because we must surely get those behind this criminal activity in our name,” the statement reiterated.

Meanwhile, a video has surfaced showing Dr Chike Akunyili, husband of former NAFDAC boss, Late Professor Dora Akunyili, gasping for air shortly after he was attacked by unknown gunmen in Nkpor, Anambra state on Tuesday, September 28.