Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi has reacted to the gruesome murder OF Chike Akunyili the husband of former Minister of Information and DG of NAFDAC Dora Akunyili, who was shot dead on Tuesday evening.
Obi who spoke to journalists said he was in Lagos on Tuesday for some functions when on Wednesday morning he got the news of the death of Akunyili on social media and immediately boarded a flight back to confirm it.
“I was lucky to get the first flight, and I landed in Owerri and moved straight to Iyienu Hospital in Onitsha, where I and his son identified him in the mortuary.
“He was not the only victim, there was his driver and police security aide. About nine people in all were involved in the shooting on Tuesday, and some of them were even headless, and it is now a problem identifying them.”
Obi said the killing of Akunyili who is a private medical practitioner remains a great pain to him and members of the Agulu community, where he (Obi) and the late Akunyili both hail from, stressing that he was an easy-going man.
“It is a very sad thing to think of. If you know Dr Akunyili, you will know that he cannot hurt anyone, not here in his village and not anywhere else. He is a good man who is so happy with himself.
“As for who his killers are, I can only say that no one knows, it is a very sad thing, and as I speak to you, Agulu people are in mourning.”
Unidentified gunmen had Tuesday evening killed Dr Chike Akunyili, in Onitsha, on his way from Onitsha to Enugu through the old road, at Eke Nkpor.
In a different Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state has placed a bounty of N20 million on the killers.
In a public address on Wednesday evening, Obiano condemned the recent spate of attacks in different areas of the state.
In his words; “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.”
The Governor disclosed that he has summoned a security meeting to carve out strategies to tackle the menace.
“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.”, he said.
