Unegbe was murdered in his home in Apapa during the coup operation by Anuforo. He was shot in the presence of his pregnant wife. His corpse was carried to a waiting car by Non-Commissioned junior officers on the orders of Chris Anuforo who had earlier kidnapped Kur Mohammed from his house. Unegbe was the only Igbo military officer killed by the plotters. Differing opinions for his murder arose during and after the civil war. Lieutenant-Colonel Unegbe was responsible for supplies which included weapons, ammunition, vehicle, equipment, clothing, and food for the Army in general. He held no command nevertheless a senior officer who was regarded as unsafe to be kept alive .