Senate Mourns Dr. Chike Akunyili, Issues Directive To IGP

The Senate on Wednesday during plenary, observed a minute silence in honour of Dr. Chike Akunyili who was slain on Tuesday by unknown gunmen.

This came after a point of order raised by the Senator representing Anambra Central, Uche Ekwunife who cited Order 43 of the Senate Standing Rules to call the attention of the lawmakers to the gruesome murder of Dr. Chike, husband of the former Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administrative Control (NAFDAC), late Professor Dora Akunyili.

Ekwunife in her observation called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Governors of the southeast region to do all within their powers to arrest the deteriorating security situation in the region.

She pointed out that the lives and property of citizens and residents must be protected from the marauding criminals called unknown gunmen.

A statement from the media office of the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan made available to newsmen by his Special Assistant (Press), Ezrel Tabiowo on the honour done to the late Akunyili during plenary proceedings reads in part:

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

“According to the lawmaker, the late Dr. Chike Akunyili, until his death, was the Medical Director of St. Leo Hospital Enugu. She noted that he also was an established academician, medical director, and one who had contributed to the development of healthcare in Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has denied any kind of responsibility or involvement in the murder of Dr. Chike Akunyili, husband of the late Professor Dora Akunyili.

The group on Wednesday through its spokesperson, Emma Powerful submitted that it doesn’t kill people and specifically, it has nothing against the murdered Akunyili.

Powerful stated further that the gunmen who assassinated Dr. Akunyuli are working closely with those who poisoned and killed Prof. Akunyuli herself as they are after the entire family.

He added that politicians are the ones behind all the killings in Anambra State.