Gunmen have killed four staff members of the United States Embassy in Nigeria, who were on a humanitarian mission in Anambra State.
It was gathered that the victims were fatally shot dead and burnt in their vehicle during the attack on Tuesday in the Amiyi/Eke Ochuche communities of Ogbaru Local Government Area.
According to Punch, a source said the assailants caused panic when they invaded the area where some of the residents in the community had gathered and were waiting to receive medical treatment from the UNICEF officials.
“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,” the source said.
While the motive behind the attack remains unknown, a local source reported that the assailants ambushed the convoy and swiftly targeted and killed the victims.
Police Confirm Attack On US Embassy Officials In Anambra
In a statement on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the Anambra Police Command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga revealed that two Police Mobile Force operatives and two staff members of the US Consulate were tragically murdered, and their bodies were set ablaze alongside their vehicles.
Ikenga said that the assailants also abducted two police operatives and the driver of the second vehicle before fleeing the scene, noting that no US citizens were present in the convoy.
He said, “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.”
KanyiDaily recalls that the police recently recovered several military uniforms in a kidnappers’ den in Ifite, Ogbunike in the Oyi local government area of Anambra state.