NO USA CITIZEN WAS AMONG CASUALTIES IN ANAMBRA DEADLY AMBUSH – CP
REPORTER: UCHE NDEKE
The Police Command in Anambra State has confirmed that seven persons, including three US consulate officials and four mobile police escorts, were murdered during the attack in Ogbaru Local Government Area.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Echeng Echeng, made the confirmation at the Command headquarters, Amawbia while updating reporters on the tragic incident involving a US consulate convoy on Tuesday May 16, 2023.
Mr Echeng, who said two other officials of the consulate were yet to be found, however noted that no US citizen was amongst the casualties in the attack involving five staff and four policemen.
He provided the names of the murdered policemen.
They were Inspectors Bukar Adams, Friday Morgan, Adam Andrew and Emmanuel Lupata who were all of Squadron 23, Police Mobile Force, Lagos.
The Police Commissioner said the joint security force, comprising the police tactical teams and troops of the Nigerian Army as well as the Nigerian Navy, raided a camp in Ogwuaniocha Community of Ogbaru Local Government Area, a suspected hide out for the assailants, which had been deserted.
He revealed that two persons of interest were arrested and they are currently assisting the police with the investigation while the criminal camp was razed by the joint security team.
Mr Echeng noted that preliminary investigation conducted by the command, revealed that the US consulate officials were on a mission to assess the impact of erosion in Ogbaru LGA when they came under attack by armed men, who targeted them with gunfire and set their vehicles ablaze.
The Police boss in Anambra State said the remains of the deceased persons had all been recovered and deposited in a morgue while the state Police Command and other security agencies were working round the clock in concert with the Government of Anambra State, to find and rescue the two missing officials.
He called on members of the public with information about the identities and locations of the culprits, to kindly and timeously assist the police with such information.
The Commissioner of Police on behalf of the Anambra State Police Command, condoled with the families and friends of the deceased persons as well as the USA Consulate over the tragic incident while reiterating the resolve of the security agencies to track down the perpetrators of the heinous crime and bring them to justice.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
