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Tag: Dr Chike Akunyili

  • DSS reacts to reports of masterminding Chike Akunyili’s gruesome murder in Anambra

    DSS reacts to reports of masterminding Chike Akunyili’s gruesome murder in Anambra

    The Department of State Services (DSS) says it has no hand in the killing of Dr Chike Akunyili, widower of former information minister, Dora.

    Akunyili was killed in Anambra by unknown gunmen on Tuesday. A social media video has claimed that the DSS was responsible for the attack on the medical doctor.

    But Dr Peter Afunanya, DSS spokesman, in a statement on Wednesday, described the claim as “spurious and illogical”.

    “The attention of the service has been drawn to an allegation that its operatives killed Dr Chike Akunyili.

    “It was also alleged that the DSS murdered security escorts at Nkpor, in Anambra, on 28th September, 2021.

    “The service hereby denies these allegations and wishes to clearly state that they are spurious and illogical.

    “There was no basis for the DSS to kill the medical doctor and/or fellow law enforcement agents. The service cherishes life and believes in the rule of law.

    “The public should be wary of the false narratives by those desirous of using it (the Service), to cover up their heinous acts.

    “The operations of these hostile elements are already well known in the public space and to the discerning,” he said.

    The image maker said that the service and sister agencies would not relent in tracking down those behind the breakdown of law and order so as to bring them to justice.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the gunmen killed Dr Chike Akunyili at Umuoji in Idemili North Local Government of Anambra Tuesday evening.

    A family source said Akunyili was returning from an event organised by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Alumni Association (UNAA) where the late Dora was honoured.

  • Anambra: Obiano laments mindless killings in statewide broadcast, places N20m bounty on killers of Chike Akunyili [Full speech]

    Anambra: Obiano laments mindless killings in statewide broadcast, places N20m bounty on killers of Chike Akunyili [Full speech]

    Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, has placed a ₦20 million bounty on the perpetrators of the gruesome killing of Dr. Chike Akunyili, the husband of the late former minister and Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dora Akunyili, and others in the state.

    The Governor said that the sum will be awarded to anyone who is able to provide useful information to track the killers.

    He said this in a special broadcast after an emergency State Security Council meeting at the Governor’s lodge in Amawbia on Wednesday, while condoling with the Akunyili family, as well as families of others who were killed in the attack.

    Governor Obiano condemned the attack, calling on residents to join forces with security agencies to confront the common enemy and protect the state.

    Speaking further, he lamented that between Sunday, September 26 to date, over 10 persons have been killed in various areas of the state.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Dr. Chike Akunyili was killed by the gunmen on Tuesday alongside his driver and a police escort around the Nkpor junction in Idemili North, Anambra State.

    The late Chike was said to have been returning from an event where he received a posthumous award of excellence for his late wife when he ran into the hoodlums at Nkpor and was murdered in cold blood.

    Meanwhile, the Police have visited the scene, as investigations into the incident and several other recent killings are now ongoing.

    Read Governor Obiano’s full address below:

    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.

    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 ten (10) people dead including an illustrious son of this State, Dr Chike Akunyili, husband of late Prof 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. I charge everyone involved in the security architecture of Anambra State to take very seriously, this threat to our livelihood and boldly rise to confront same. Everything that needs to be done will be done and no stone will be left unturned in this effort. My directive to this effect is clear and i urge every security personnel on duty in Anambra State to do his utmost best to secure our people.

    To all citizens of Anambra State and every person living and doing business in our State, I urge you now to join forces with us to confront this common enemy.

    We cannot condone this savagery for any reason whatsoever. I therefore call on all our youths in the State to rise up and protect our communities. Traditional Rulers, Presidents General, Clergy men, Vigilante Groups and all leadership structures must now take responsibility and in conjunction with the Police, Military and other Law Enforcement Agencies, work to restore order immediately.

    To reinforce our commitment and seriousness on this issue, I on behalf of the State Government, wish to announce a twenty million Naira (N20,000,000.00) reward for any useful information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators of these heinous attacks on our State. The people behind this must be unmasked and brought to book. 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. As the Americans say, IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING.

    At this point, I wish to most heartily condole with the families of all those who have lost their loved ones in the course of these senseless attacks. I promise you that we will leave no stone unturned in getting justice for them. May their souls rest in peace.

    Finally, 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.

    To all law abiding citizens and persons living in our State, I urge you to go about your lawful businesses but we must now ALL go to work and take back our State. This is Anambra, the Light of the Nation, where darkness has no place. The events of the last one week will not be allowed to fester and by God’s grace, we shall overcome.

    Thank you and God bless.

  • IPOB denies involvement in Chike Akunyili’s assassination, says killings in Anambra State politically motivated

    IPOB denies involvement in Chike Akunyili’s assassination, says killings in Anambra State politically motivated

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has denied being responsible for the murder of Dr Chike Akunyili, husband of late Prof Dora Akunyili; a former Minister of Information.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the late Akunyili was shot at close range of Tuesday in Anambra State along with his driver and escort.

    Akunyili’s younger brother, Cyril later accused IPOB of masterminding the attack on his brother.

    However, in a swift response on Wednesday, the outlawed group distanced themselves from the ‘senseless’ killings in the South-East geopolitical zone of the country.

    This is as the group claimed that the ‘senseless’ killings were politically motivated, stating that masterminds were taking advantage of the current situation in the region to unleash mayhem on their political opponents.

    The group also noted that it did not at any point issue a statement on the forthcoming governorship elections in Anambra State, to the effect, that the election will not hold.

    The Director of Media and Publicity of the secessionist group, Emma Powerful, aired the group’s view in a statement, on Wednesday.

    The statement read in part, “We the great family of the Indigenous People of Biafra 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 in Biafra land. We have at several times 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 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 to the contrary should be disregarded.

    IPOB further claimed that those who killed Prof Dora Akunyili were responsible for the death of her husband.

    “Those who killed Dora Akunyili husband killed his wife with poison because she exposed the death of Yar’Adua for Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to take over as President of Nigeria, they know themselves, they conspired to poison Prof. Dora Akunyili.”

    It added, “We have no issues with Chike Akunyili and we don’t know 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 purely a political assassination going on in Anambra State now.

    “It is obvious that those that burnt Anambra Government House and other parts of the state some years back are back to use intimidations and killings to subdue their opponents ahead of the governorship election in Anambra State.”