Gunmen attack US Embassy staff, kill 4 in Anambra
Four US Embassy staff members on a humanitarian trip in Anambra State were killed in an attack on their vehicle on Tuesday.
The incident occurred in the Amiyi/Eke Ochuche communities in the Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state late on Tuesday night.
According to a source in the area, the gunmen ambushed and promptly gunned down the victims for reasons that have yet to be determined.
However, according to a source, the attackers caused panic in the area by invading the arena, where residents of the community had congregated in anticipation of receiving medical treatment from UNICEF officials.
The source stated, "They were ambushed, and approximately four of them were shot to death, while others sustained varying degrees of injury as they fled in a vehicle bearing the UNICEF logo."
"Among the victims were white and black officials on a medical mission to rural riverine regions."
In response to an inquiry by our correspondent, the spokesperson for the Anambra Police Command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, issued the following statement: "The joint security forces have launched a rescue/recovery operation in Ogbaru LGA, following an attack on a convoy of US Consulate staff today, May 15, 2023 at 3:30 p.m. along the Atani, Osamale road.
"The criminals murdered two members of the Police Mobile Force and two consular employees and set their corpses ablaze alongside their vehicles.
"In addition, upon spotting the responding joint security forces, the arsonists/murderers abducted two police officers and the driver of the second vehicle before fleeing." No American citizens were in the convoy.
"The command, while reacting to the situation, regrets that a convoy of this type or a similar type will enter the state without informing the local police or any other security agency. However, the command has assured that the battle against insurgents in the state is focused and will continue until security stability is fully restored. Additional information will be communicated, please."
