Unidentified gunmen have killed Dr Chike Akunyili, husband of late former Director General of NAFDAC and minister for information, Prof Dora Akunyili.
Akunyili, a medical doctor was killed on Tuesday on his way from Onitsha to Umuoji at Eke Nkpor. He was said to have been killed alongside his driver and police escort.
According to DAILY POST, Akunyili had on Tuesday attended a lecture at Sharon Hall, All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha, which was organized by University of Nigeria Nsukka Alumni Association (UNAA), Onitsha branch, in honour of his late wife, Prof Dora Akunyili.
A source said;
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.
Although the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga was yet to confirm the incident, sources in the victim’s community, Agulu confirmed the incident to the publication.
A member of his community 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 (his traditional title) was killed by Unknown Gunmen. May the Lord console Akunyili family and Ndi Agulu in general.
Chike’s brother, Cyril in an Instagram post on Wednesday said, “IPOB killed my senior brother. Why? Husband of Prof Dora Akunyili is dead. IPOB why on a Tuesday?”. He later deleted the post.
His wife, a former director-general of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), died in an Indian hospital on June 7, 2014 at the age of 57 after a prolonged ailment.
She was the DG of NAFDAC from 2001 to 2008 and she was survived by Chike and their six children.
