Gunmen kill two US consulate officials, police officers in Anambra

Gunmen have reportedly killed four people in the Amiyi/Eke Ochuche communities of Ogbaru LGA in Anambra.

Speaking on the incident, Ikenga Tochukwu, the police spokesperson in Anambra, said the gunmen attacked the convoy conveying staff of the United States consulate.

He said the “hoodlums murdered two of the PMF operatives, and two staff of the consulate”, adding that the bodies of the victims were set ablaze by the gunmen. 

“Security forces have embarked on a rescue/recovery operation in Ogbaru LGA, following an attack on a convoy of staff of US 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,” he said.

“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 incident, 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”.

The US mission in Nigeria confirmed the incident, noting that the security of their personnel is paramount.

“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 organising trips to the field.  We have no further comment at this time,” a spokesperson of the US mission who spoke with Daily Trust said.