Gunmen attack US Consulate convoy in Anambra, Kill Four

Gunmen on Tuesday attacked a United States Consulate in Anambra State, killing four people including two personnel from the US consulate and two police officers.

An official of the Anambra Police Command who confirmed the attack, said the attackers killed two police operatives and two staff of the US Consulate and set their bodies and their vehicles ablaze, reports ThisDay.

John Kirby of the US National Security Council said no US citizen was killed.

“No US citizens were involved and therefore there were no US citizens hurt.

“We are aware of some casualties, perhaps even some killed,” the senior US official said.

A spokesman for the State Department said: “We confirm there was an incident May 16 in Anambra state. 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 organizing trips to the field. We have no further comment at this time.”

Spokesman of the Anambra State Police Command, Ikenga Tochukwu, said the attackers kidnapped two police operatives and a driver of the second vehicle in the convoy.

DSP Ikenga said the attacked US Consulate team was on a humanitarian mission when they were attacked in the Ogbaru Local Government Area, of Anambra.

He said in a statement: “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, please.”