Gunmen kill, kidnap policemen, U.S. officials in Anambra

• US citizens not involved

Sopuruchi Onwuka, with agency reports

Gunmen yesterday in Anambra State attacked and killed security aides and staff of the United States consulate who were traveling in convoy along Atani, Osamale road in Ogbaru council area of the state.

Two mobile police men and two US consulate officials were killed in the attack, while another two policemen and a driver were whisked away by the gunmen whose motives are yet to be determined.

Nigerian police spokesman, Ikenga Tochukwu, confirmed the number of casualties and added that rescue efforts have been launched for the kidnapped victims.

He said the attack which took place Tuesday afternoon resulted in the loss of two of the Police Mobile Force operatives and two staff of the consulate. He added that the gunmen had also set the vehicle conveying the attacked victim ablaze.

Mr  Tochukwu stated that joint security forces were promptly deployed to the scene for rescue and recovery operation, adding that no U.S. citizen was in the convoy at the time of the incident.

“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 reads in part.

US National Security Council spokesperson, John Kirby, also confirmed the attack in Anambra State and declared that victims were not American citizens.

 “It does look like a U.S. convoy vehicles was attacked. What I can tell you is that no U.S. citizens were involved. And therefore there were no U.S. citizens hurt,” Kirby said at a briefing.

“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. It just happened and the State Department’s looking into this,” Kirby added.

A US State Department spokesperson also told agency sources that the U.S. Mission Nigeria personnel are working with Nigerian security services to investigate the incident, adding that “the security of our personnel is always paramount, and we take extensive precautions when organizing trips to the field.”

The South East region, especially Anambra and Imo states have become the hotbed of armed confrontation between local militants and security forces.

The Oracle Today reports that federal security forces have traditionally traded blames with the Indigenous People of Biafra movement (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network over the wave of gun attacks in the region.

Whereas IPOB has repeatedly denied responsibility for violence in the region, citizens have been victims of indiscriminate arrests and detention by the security forces. Kidnapping for ransom by criminals has also complicated the security situation in the region.