United States Government has reacted to the recent attack by gunmen on its officials who were on a humanitarian mission in Anambra State.
KanyiDaily had reported how gunmen killed four staff members of the US embassy during an attack on Tuesday, May 16, in the Amiyi/Eke Ochuche communities of Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Anambra Police spokesperson, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed that two police operatives and two staff members of the US Consulate were tragically murdered, and their bodies were set ablaze in their vehicles.
Ikenga said that the assailants also abducted another two police operatives and the driver of the second vehicle before fleeing the scene, noting that no US citizens were present in the convoy.
The police spokesman, who pledged to sustain efforts in combating insurgents, expressed regret that the convoy entered the state without informing local law enforcement or any security agency.
US Confirms Attack On Embassy Officials In Anambra
The US Embassy in Nigeria has confirmed that attack and stated that its personnel are actively cooperating with Nigerian security agencies to ascertain the details of the occurrence.
“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 organizing trips to the field. We have no further comment at this time,” the US Department of State said.
The US National Security Council spokesperson, John Kirby briefly also addressed the incident at a White House press briefing on Tuesday.
“It does look like a US convoy vehicle was attacked. What I can tell you is that no US citizens were involved, and therefore there were no US citizens hurt,” Kirby said.
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.