How US Embassy Staff Were Attacked In Anambra | READ FULL DETAILS
About four officials of the United States (US) Embassy in Nigeria on a humanitarian mission in Anambra State , were on Tuesday, May 16, reportedly shot dead by yet to be identified gunmen.
According to sources, the workers who were being conveyed in a vehicle branded UNICEF, were ambushed in the Amiyi/Eke Ochuche communities in Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.
“They were ambushed and about four of them were gunned down, while others sustained various degrees of injuries as they escaped with their vehicle that has the inscription, UNICEF.
“Among the victims were whites and blacks officials who were on a medical outreach to the rural riverine areas” a source told journalists
However, giving update on the incident, the spokesperson for the Anambra state Police Command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement said, two policemen, two staff of the US Embassy were killed and their bodies and vehicles set on fire by the assailants.
Ikenga noted that no US citizen was in the convoy that was attacked.
The statement read;
“The joint security forces have embarked on a rescue/recovery operation in Ogbaru LGA, following an attack on a convoy of staff of US Consulate today May 15, 2023 by 3:30 pm along Atani, Osamale road.
“The hoodlums murdered two of the Police Mobile Force operatives, and two staff of the Consulate, and set their bodies set ablaze alongside their vehicles.
“Also, the arsonist/murderers on sighting the responding joint security forces abducted two police operatives, the driver of the second vehicle and took to their heels. No U S citizen was in the convoy
“The command, while reacting to the situation regrets that a convoy of such or any related will enter the state without recourse to the police in the area or any security agency, assured that the battle against the insurgents in the State is focused and it will remain sustained until such a time security stability is fully restored. Further details shall be communicated.”
Confirming the incident, the US Consulate said;
“We confirm there was an incident on May 16 in Anambra State. U.S. Mission Nigeria personnel are working with Nigerian security services to investigate.
“The security of our personnel is always paramount, and we take extensive precautions when organising trips to the field. We have no further comment at this time.”
