The Senate on Wednesday at plenary observed a minute silence in honour of late Dr Chike Akunyili, husband to Prof. Dora Akunyeli, former Director-General of NAFDAC, who was murdered on Sept. 28.
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The minute silence was sequel to matter of urgent public importance moved by Sen. Uche Ekwunife (PDP-Anambra).
Dr Chike Akunyili, the husband of late, Prof. Dora Akunyili was shot dead by yet to be identified gunmen in NKpor in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra, while the deceased was returning from Onitsha after a posthumous award bestowed on his late wife.
Late Prof. Akunyili was a former Minister of Information and Culture and former Director- General of the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control.
A source who did not want his name mentioned said five other persons were also killed during the attack.
“It was a very big problem yesterday at Nkpor area in the evening following the sudden shooting of Chike by yet to be identified gunmen.
“The people were in black attire and as soon as they came down from the vehicle, they started shooting which made people around to scamper for safety.
“By the time the attack was over, six persons including the man they said was Prof. Akunyili’s husband were killed,’’ the source said.
Ekwunife, in her personal explanation, having cited Order 43 of Senate Rule, said the deceased was murdered in Anambra.
She said late Chike, the Medical Director of St Luke Hospital, Enugu, was an established academician and medical director of repute, who contributed immensely to health care in Nigeria.
She said that the deceased was in Onitsha to present a paper and receive an award in honour of his late wife, Prof. Akunyili.
Ekwunife said government should take action to stem the series of attacks and killings in the South-East, especially in Anambra, Enugu and Imo states.
She urged the Senate to observe a minute silence for the deceased and other innocent citizens that have lost their lives to gunmen.
Ekwunife called on the Inspector-General of Police and other security heads to investigate the killings in the South-East.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan, in his comment, said there was no debate on the motion as it was brought under Order 43 of the Senate rule.
The Senate, thereafter, observed a minute silence in honour of the deceased.
