SECURITY FORCES BEGIN OPERATION TO RESCUE KIDNAPPED US EMBASSY OFFICIALS IN ANAMBRA

REPORTER: UCHE NDEKE

The Joint Security Forces have embarked on a rescue and recovery operation in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Command, Mr. Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement in Awka, said the operation follows a fatal attack on the convoy of staff of US Consulate on Tuesday on Atani-Osamala road.

According to the statement, the hoodlums murdered two of the Police Mobile Force operatives, and two members of staff of the Consulate, and set their bodies and vehicles ablaze.

Also, the arsonists on sighting the responding joint security forces, abducted two police operatives, the driver of the second vehicle and took to their heels.

The statement, however, expresses regret that such a convoy entered the state without recourse to the police or any security agency.

It assures that the battle against the insurgents is focused and it will remain sustained until such a time stability is fully restored in the area.

In the meantime, President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed condolences to the United States Embassy following the killing of two of its officials by gunmen in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.

President Buhari also extendes his condolences to the Nigerian Police Force for the killing of two policemen accompanying the UN officials, who were killed in the attack.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU