The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Wednesday, September 29, denied ordering the murder of Dr Chike Akunyili, husband to late former Director-General of NAFDAC and Minister of Information, Prof Dora Akunyili.
The late Akunyili, who was on his way from Onitsha to Umuoji at Afor Nkpor in Idemili North local government area of Anambra State, was killed by unknown gunmen on Tuesday.
Eye witness accounts said that he had attended a lecture at Sharon Hall, All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha; organised by the University of Nigeria Nsukka Alumni Association (UNAA), Onitsha branch; in honour of his late wife on Tuesday before he was murdered on his way home.
In a statement issued in the wake of the incident; the IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, vowed to arrest and deal decisively with those committing crimes in the region.
“Those who killed Dora Akunyili’s husband were the same people that killed Dora. They are the ones contesting the governorship election in Anambra State today.
“We have no issues with Chike Akunyili and we did not kill him. Those behind this act must stop this and stop using IPOB’s name. We don’t want anybody to blame IPOB because we must get them. This is pure political assassination going on in Anambra State. Agents are doing this to paint IPOB black in the face of the support and encouragement we are getting from our people.
“We know their plans and gimmick to discourage Biafrans who are encouraging and supporting us but it can’t work for them.
“In the near future those committing these atrocities in Imo and Anambra States will hear from IPOB…Our people should not blame us because we must get them.
“Had IPOB issued a statement regarding Anambra election, by now; traitors would have been ranting that it was IPOB that killed APGA and APC members at Nnobi junction last week.
“It is obvious that those that burnt Anambra Government House and other parts of the state some years ago are back to use intimidations and killings to subdue their opponents ahead of the governorship election in Anambra State”.