Gunmen operating in Anambra State have killed four members of staff of the United States Embassy on Tuesday.
The four US Embassy personnel were said to be in the state for a medical outreach when they were murdered by the bloodthirsty gunmen.
The unfortunate incident happened at Amiyi/Eke Ochuche communities in Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.
The Network investigation revealed that the gunmen stormed the venue of the medical outreach where several people had been assembled to unleash mayhem.
It was gathered that the victims include officials of UNICEF some of who are whites.
The spokesperson for the Anambra Police Command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the grisly attack to journalists.
He said that the Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng has deployed a Deputy Commissioner of Police to respond to the attack.
“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.” He told the PUNCH
Meanwhile the US mission Nigeria has confirmed the attack adding that its personnel were collaborating with Nigerian security operatives to investigate the dastardly act.
“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,” a US Mission Nigeria spokesperson said in response to Daily Trust inquiry.
Also, the Spokesperson for US National Security Council (NSC), John Kirby, confirmed the incident to reporters in the White House.
He stated that while there were casualties in the attack, no US citizen was affected.
“I just got informed about that here before coming here to talk to you. It does look like US convoy vehicle was attacked.
“What I can tell you is that no US citizens were involved, and therefore, there was no US citizen hurt. But we are aware of some casualties, perhaps even some killed.
“But I don’t want to get too far ahead of where we are right now,” he stated.