Some officials of the United States (U.S.) Embassy in Nigeria were, on Tuesday, allegedly attacked and killed in Anambra State.
They were said to be on a medical outreach to Amiyi/Eke Ochuche communities in Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state when they were attacked.
An eyewitness said the attack occurred when some residents in the community had gathered and were waiting to receive medical treatment.
The assailants also burnt the bodies and vehicles. Two other security operatives and the driver of one of the vehicles were abducted.
Spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, is said to have confirmed the attack.
Ikenga said: “The joint security forces have embarked on a rescue/recovery operation in Ogbaru LGA, following an attack on a convoy of staff of U.S. 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 ablaze alongside their vehicles.
“Also, the arsonists/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. He assured that the battle against insurgents in the state is focused and it will remain sustained until such a time security stability is fully restored.”
The U.S. Mission in Nigeria also confirmed the incident.
“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”, a U.S. Mission Nigeria spokesperson said.
~Freedom Online
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