Members of the Senate during plenary on Wednesday, September 29, observed a minute silence to mourn late Dr. Chike Akunyili, husband of late Dora Akunyili, a former Director General of the NAFDAC.

According to a statement released by Ezrel Paul Tabiowo, Special Assistant (Press), to the Senate President, a point of order was raised by the Senator representing Anambra Central, Uche Lilian Ekwunife.

The statement read in part;

Coming under order 43 of the Senate Standing Rules – Personal Explanation, Ekwunife noted with concern that on Tuesday 28th September, 2021, Dr. Chike Akunyili was gunned down in a most gruesome and very horrifying manner at Afor Nkpor, Anambra State.

Narrating the circumstance which led to his death, Ekwunife said, “Dr. Akunyili went to Onitsha to present a paper and receive an award at the memorial lecture put together by civil society organisation in honor of his late wife, Prof. Dora Akunyili and was gruesomely attacked at Nkpor on his way home.

“Aware that lots of gruesome attacks and killings had been going on around the entire South East zone especially Anambra, Enugu and Imo States.”

Consequently, the lawmaker urged the Inspector General of Police and other law enforcement agencies to step up action towards unraveling perpetrators of the gruesome killings in Anambra State and other South East states under the name of unknown gunmen.

Ekwunife also urged State Governors of the South East to sit up to their responsibilities of ensuring safety of life and properties of the citizens as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended).