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Buhari mourns as late Dora Akunyili’s husband, Chike, driver, escort killed by gunmen in Anambra
.We have no hands in Akunyili’s murder -IPOB
.Hoodlums attack APGA campaign train, set vehicles ablaze
.Gov. Obiano abdicating his responsibilities to Sen. Uba -Campaign group
.Gov. sets N20m bounty on Akunyili’s killers
.As group charges him to address insecurity
.Declare bandits as terrorists now, Senate tells Buhari
By Pamela Eboh Awka and Phil Okose
President Muhammadu Buhari is deeply saddened by the gruesome killing of Dr Chike Akunyili, the husband of the late former Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof Dora Akunyili.
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.
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.
It will be recalled that the husband of late former Director General of NAFDAC and minister for information, Prof Dora Akunyili, Dr Chike Akunyili was on Tuesday killed by gunmen on rampage in Anambra State.
Akunyili, a medical Doctor was on his way from Onitsha to Umuoji before he was attacked by unidentified gunmen at Eke Nkpor, in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.
Information has it that Akunyili was said to have been killed alongside his driver and police orderly.
According to a source who spoke to our Correspondent, Akunyili had on Tuesday attended a lecture at Sharon Hall, All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha, organised by the University of Nigeria Nsukka Alumni Association (UNAA), Onitsha branch, in honour of his late wife, Prof Dora Akunyili.
“He spoke glowingly about Dora his wife, and made a donation of N500,000 to the association.
“He was there with his son, Obum who now works with Anambra State government. We saw them off to the car and it was emotional when Obum hugged him (Chike) tight as both of them separated to join their respective vehicles.
“Obum was in a white Hilux while the man was in a Prado Jeep. He must have been killed when returning from the function”, the source said.
A member of his community who simply gave his name as IIfeanyi said: “He lost his life at Nkpor Junction, Idemili North Anambra State Tuesday 28/9/2021 when he came to Anambra to Receive Award for the Late Amazon, Prof Dora Akunyili.
“Agbalanze was killed by Unknown Gunmen. May the Lord console Akunyili family and Ndi Agulu in general,” the source said.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga could not be reached for reaction at the time of filing this report.
We have no hands in Akunyili’s murder -IPOB
The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has denied killing Chike Akunyili, husband of the late Dora Akunyili, ex-minister of information and communications.
Akunyili was shot dead on Tuesday at Umuoji, Idemili North LGA of Anambra state.
His police escort and one Aloysius, his driver, were also reportedly killed.
Speaking on the incident, Emma Powerful, in a statement, on Wednesday, said the group has no issues with Akunyili and does not know him, adding that those behind his murder should stop using the name of the group, TheCable reports.
The proscribed group alleged that the killings in Anambra are “pure political assassination”, designed to paint IPOB bad in the face of its supporters.
IPOB said it has not issued any official statement that the Anambra governorship election will not take place, adding that those peddling the rumour are not its members and should be ignored.
“We, the great family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our great leader Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu, wish to dissociate ourselves from the senseless killing of innocent citizens in Anambra state,” the statement reads.
We have no hands in the political killings going on in Biafra land. We have, on several occasions, 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 zoo politics. Restoration of Biafra is our mandate!
“We also wish to clarify that IPOB has never issued any 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 Anambra election will be made public at the right time through our normal channels of information dissemination. Anything to the 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 killed his wife with poison from Fulani because she exposed the death of Yar’adua to Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to take over President of failed Nigeria, they know themselves those conspired to poisoned prof. Dora Akunyili, they’re contesting the governorship election in Anambra state today.”
There have been a controversy surrounding the murder of Akunyili with many pointing accusing fingers at IPOB, saying they are enforcing an election boycott in Anambra State.
Others said he was killed by herdsmen.
Cyril Akunyili, the deceased’s brother, in a deleted Facebook post, said he was killed by IPOB.
It was learnt that Akunyili’s murder was filmed and posted on social media.
.Hoodlums attack APGA Campaign train in Anambra, set vehicles ablaze
Unknown gunmen have attacked campaign vehicles of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA in Anambra State.
it was gathered that the rampaging gunmen set the vehicles ablaze in the early hours of Tuesday.
The ugly incident happened at Oko in Orumba North Local Government Area Anambra State.
According to report, the gunmen burnt the campaign vehicles and shot the driver on both of his legs.
.Akunyili killing: we will not succumb to invaders- Obiamo
*announces 20M reward for information on killers
By Pamela Eboh Awka
Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano has condemned the recent spate of killing in the state.
Obiano who spoke on the heels of the killing of late Dora Akunyili’s husband, Dr Chike Akunyili expressed sadness that some armed persons have unleashec terror with sporadic attacks on innocent citizens in various parts of the stste since last weekend.
The Governor in a state address Tuesday evening 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.
“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.”
Obiano charged persons involved in the security architecture of Anambra State to take very seriously, the threat to livelihood and rise to confront same.
He assured that everything that needs to be done will be done with no stone left unturned in the effort to bring vack sanity in the state.
He called on all citizens and persons living and doing business in the state, to join forces with government to confront the common enemy.
The governor added, “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.
The Governor condoled with the families of all those who have lost their loved ones in the course of the various attacks, promising that no stone will be left unturned in getting justice for them.
May their souls rest in peace.
“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”, the governor stated.
.Declare bandits as terrorists now, Senate tells Buhari
The Senate has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to declare bandits ravaging the North West and other parts of the country as terrorists.
The Upper Chamber also called on the President to declare known leaders of bandits in the country wanted and track them wherever they are for arrest and prosecution.
It also urged the President to direct the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to urgently support all victims of banditry in Sokoto and other parts of the country.
These resolutions of the Senate followed its consideration of a motion titled: “Banditry in Sokoto State particularly Sokoto East Senatorial District” sponsored by Senator Ibrahim Gobir.
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