The Nigerian Police have provided additional updates on the attack on US embassy staff in Anambra State, shedding light on the tragic incident that occurred on Tuesday in Ogbaru Local Government Area.
WITHIN NIGERIA had earlier reported that four persons lost their lives in the attack.
DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, the Police Public Relations Officer, revealed that two police officers and two US Consulate officials were among the victims.
According to the command spokesman, the attack occurred around 3:30 p.m. along Atani, Osamale road in Ogbaru LGA.
Assailants ambushed the convoy of US Consulate staff, killing two PMF operatives and two consulate officials.
Their bodies, as well as their vehicles, were set on fire.
According to the statement, when the joint security forces arrived on the scene, the perpetrators fled after abducting two police officers and the driver of the second vehicle.
It was established that no US citizens were present in the convoy at the time of the attack.
The command expressed regret for the incident, emphasizing the importance of such convoys or related activities involving local police or other security agencies.
The statement assured that the fight against insurgents in the state will continue until security stability is fully restored.
It reads;
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 16/5/2023 by 3:30 pm along Atani, Osamale road. The hoodlums murdered two of the PMF operatives, and two staff of the Consulate, and set their bodies ablaze and 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 US 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