Four killed, three kidnapped as gunmen attack US Consulate team in Anambra

Gunmen

Four persons were killed on Tuesday when gunmen attacked a United States Consulate team in Anambra State.

The police said three others were kidnapped in the incident which occurred at Ogbaru Local Government Area.

John Kirby of the US National Security Council said no US citizen was killed.

“No US citizens were involved and therefore there were no US citizens hurt.

“We are aware of some casualties, perhaps even some killed,” the senior US official said.

Spokesman of the Anambra State Police Command Ikenga Tochukwu said the attackers kidnapped two police operatives and a driver of the second vehicle in the convoy.

Ikenga said in a statement that the US embassy team was on a humanitarian mission before the attack.

His statement reads: “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 US 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.”