Anambra: Seven killed, not four in US Consulate convoy attack – Police, confirm arrest of two suspects

Police have confirmed arrest of two suspects said to be connected with last Tuesday’s armed attack on two convoys conveying staff of the United States Consulate from Lagos which occurred along the Atani-Osamale road in Ogbaru local government area of Anambra State.

The team of U.S Consulate staff from Lagos was in Anambra to inspect erosion sites in Ogbaru when their convoy came under attack by the gunmen in Ogbaru.

Confirming the development, the state’s police Commissioner, CP Mr. Echeng Echeng, during a press briefing which at the police headquarters in Amawbia, Thursday, also disclosed that preliminary investigations conducted into the shooting revealed that seven persons were killed in the assault, as against the earlier casualty figure of four.

According to CP Echeng, out of the seven casualties, three were US Consulate officials while four were Police Mobile Force (PMF) escorts.

The commissioner said the arrest was made possible following a Joint Security Task Force operation comprising police tactical teams and troops of the Nigerian Army and Navy, which raided the suspects’ hideout at Ugwuaneocha community within Ogbaru local government area in the state.

“The joint security task force upon arrival, met a deserted camp. The camp was razed and two persons of interest have been arrested and they are under interrogations by the police,” the police chief said.

On the casualty figure, the police chief said three embassy staff were killed in the incident, along with five police escorts.

“The victims, five male officials of the US Embassy and four armed police escorts from Lagos were on a mission to assess the impact of erosion in Ogbaru.

“They were in a convoy of two vehicles when the attack occurred,” Echeng stated.

According to the police commissioner, ‘further investigations are underway and findings will be shared with the public in due time.’

The full statement:

As you are probably aware, a team of officials from the Lagos Consulate of the United States of America and their police escorts (USA) were ambushed on 16/05/2023 between 12:00hours and 14:00hours, along Atani/Osamela road in Ogbaru Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State by suspected Eastern Security Network ESN/ Indigenous people of Biafra, IPOB.

“Information about the incident was received by Anambra State Police Command, through an official of the consulate, at about 14:30 hours. Consequently, a joint team of Mobile Policemen and troops of the Nigerian Navy stationed in Onitsha was immediately deployed to the area. Upon arrival at the scene of the incident, the joint security team sighted and engaged the assailants in a shot-out but they escaped through a nearby forest.

“Yesterday – 17/05/2023, joint security forces comprising police tactical teams from the command and troops of the Nigerian Army as well as the Nigerian Navy raided a camp in Ugwuaneocha community of Ogbaru LGA, which was suspected to be the hideout of the assailants, but discovered that it had been deserted. Two persons of interest were arrested and they currently assisting the police in the investigation. The criminal camp was razed down by the joint security team.

“The preliminary investigation conducted by the command, following the incident, revealed that five male officials of the USA consulate and four armed Mobile Police escorted from Lagos on a mission to assess the impact of erosion in Ogbaru LGA were travelling in a convoy of two vehicles when they suddenly came under attack by armed men who targeted them with gunfire and set their vehicles ablaze. Regrettably, seven persons (including three of the consulate officials and four Mobile Police escorts) were murdered during the attack while two other officials of the consulate are yet to be found. “The deceased police officers include; Inspr. Bukar Adams, Inspr. Friday Morgan, Inspr. Adam Andrew and Inspr. Emmanuel Lupata, all of Squadron 23, Police Mobile Force, Lagos.

“No USA citizen was amongst the casualties.

“Information from the USAID authority disclosed that five (5) of their staff and four policemen were involved in the attack are: Jefferson Obayuwane (RTD DSS personnel); Sunday Prince Ubong; Ekene Nweke; Hassan Etila; Avwuvie Kaye Monday; Bukar A. Kabuiki – (Police); Emmanuel Lukpata – (Police)

Friday Morgan -(Police); Adamu Andrew – (Police).”

It would be recalled that the state’s police command spokesperson, Mr Ikenga Tochuckwu (DSP), had, Wednesday, confirmed the the incident which occurred along the Atani-Osamale Road in Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.

Tochuckwu, however, added that the Joint Security Task Force in the state had been deployed to rescue and recover the other members of the US Consulate convoy.

According to the police spokesperson, ‘no US citizen was in the convoy’ which came under attack by the gunmen.

“The Joint Security Forces have embarked on a rescue/recovery operation in Ogbaru LGA, following an attack on a convoy of staff of U S 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. 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,” the police statement read.

Meanwhile, the US Mission Nigeria also acknowledged the incident, stating that its personnel are working in collaboration with Nigerian security forces to investigate the matter.

A spokesperson for the US Mission Nigeria assured that extensive precautions are taken when organizing trips to the field.

Reacting via a statement, Wednesday, by his Senior Special Assistant, Garba Shehu,

President Muhammadu Buhari expressed condolences on the loss of lives in the incident.

“I was very sad hearing about the killing of the embassy staff and our policemen accompanying them. In this difficult time for the families of those killed, the American Embassy and the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, I extend the nation’s condolences over the very sad incident.

“We share the grief of the American Embassy, the Nigeria Police Force and our communities in Plateau and Benue and remain committed to fishing out the perpetrators of the attacks and bringing them to justice.

“May God give their families the strength to bear the unfortunate losses,” the president implored.

Also reacting, Mr Obi in a statement via his Twitter handle (@PeterObi), Wednesday, said: “I just got the most reprehensible news of the attack and killing of some international humanitarian workers in Anambra state, which happened on Tuesday. This despicable act is highly condemnable.

“My heartfelt sympathy goes to the families of the deceased, the United States Embassy and other charitable International agencies involved.

“Nothing can be more deplorable than that somebody has to die while rendering a charity job for a people and a nation in need.

“The rising crime rate in our community and country is not unconnected with the frightening rising poverty level and unemployment of youths in our land which is a consequence of a prolonged leadership failure over the years.

“When youths in their product ages remain idle for a prolonged time the devil finds in them veritable tools to build workshops in. Our redemption remains a quick turnaround from consumption to production.

“I urge the appropriate security agencies to put no stone unturned in ensuring that the perpetrators of these wicked and abominable acts are fished out and made to face the full wrath of the law. –PO”