Details have emerged why Dr Chike Akunyili, husband of late former Director General of NAFDAC, Prof Dora Akunyili and five others were killed,
Dr Akunyili alongside his driver and police escort were killed at Afor-Nkpor junction, Idemili North LGA , the old road leading to Awka- Enugu from Onitsha.
A team of Police Operatives attached to Aguata Area Command at about 2pm yesterday while on routine patrol duty along Ezinifite/Igboukwu road, were also attacked by hoodlums riding in two unmarked Sienna vehicle and a Toyota Hummer bus. The hoodlums set the patrol vehicle ablaze and fled the scene though no life was lost.
Similarly, there was a gun attack on a member of the public at about 5pm along Oko road, Ekwulobia. The criminal elements set the vehicle of the victim ablaze, leaving him with a bullet wound and escaped. The victim was rescued and taken to hospital where he is responding to treatment.
In a related development, at about 4pm same yesterday, the undesirable elements, in an attempt to snatch a Lexus 350 along from its driver along Agulu Road, shot him. The attackers abandoned the victim and the car and fled. The victim was immediately rushed to the hospital, but was confirmed dead by doctors on duty. The body has been deposited to the hospital and the said vehicle recovered.
Also, gunmen at about 5pm along Nkpor round about, without any provocation, attacked and shot a Police Inspector attached to a VIP. He was quickly rushed to the hospital but was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty. The assailants also beheaded a yet to be identified man and fled the scene
Further details on the killing of Dr Chike Akunyili, Chief Medical Director, St. Leo Hospital Enugu revealed that prior to the tragic incident, he just left the venue of an event organized by the University of Nigeria Alumni Association, (UNAA), Onitsha Branch who hosted the 59+1 Founders Day and inauguration of Prof. Dora Akunyili Memorial Lecture/ Award. Dr Chike who attended the event with one of his son, Obum, spoke glowingly about his late wife, Dora and also made some donations to the organizers.
Sources said that his vehicle was stuck in traffic gridlock at the Afor Nkpor junction and his police escort wanted to clear the road unknown to him that some masked gunmen parked their vehicle and took strategic positions in the junction.
The gunmen fired the policemen clearing the road and also shot Dr Akunyili whom they probably thought was a big politician or government official, directly in the face as he opened the door and wanted to move out of his jeep. The gunmen fired severally within the vicinity killing other people including the driver as confusion reigned everywhere.
Confirming the incidents, Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Command, Ikenga Tochi said the Commissioner of Police, Cp Tony Olofu has visited the scenes and called for calm as Police collaborates with other Security Agencies to decisively deal with the perpetrators.
“The Commissioner of Police Anambra State Command CP Tony Olofu has observed with grave concern, the series of security breaches that have taken place within the State, and has therefore ordered tactical Commanders of the Command to immediately put an end to the madness. He gave this order when he led senior police officers from the command on- the- spot assessment to the crime scenes”
“The CP while regretting the unfortunate loss of lives and valuables due to those senseless acts, has sued for calm, as the Command collaborates with other Security Agencies in State to decisively deal with the perpetrators, who seem to have lost every iota of human conscience and sensibility in them”
“He implores members of the public, particularly residents of the State, to continue to partner with the Police with a view of containing these atrocious acts, stressing that the Command is more than ever determined to flush out these undesirable elements and make the entire State safer for law-abiding citizens to go about their lawful businesses” the PPRO said.
He said The CP assured that the Command remained committed in enhancing public safety and peace in Anambra.
Credit: Sunnewsonline
