AWKA – Tragedy struck on Wednesday as armed assailants ambushed a convoy of the US Consulate in the Ogbaru local government area of Anambra State, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals, including three consulate officials and four Mobile Police escorts. Two consulate officials are still missing following the attack, which occurred between 12:00 and 14:00 hours along the Atani/Osamela road. The victims were in the area to assess the impact of erosion, which had devastated the communities after last year’s floods.
The Anambra State Police command, led by Commissioner Echeng Echeng, held a press briefing at the state police headquarters in Awka, where he disclosed that the attack was carried out by suspected members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The police command received information about the incident at approximately 14:30 hours from an official of the US consulate. In response, a joint team of Mobile Policemen and Nigerian Navy troops stationed in Onitsha were immediately deployed to the scene. Upon arrival, they engaged the assailants in a shootout, but the attackers managed to escape into a nearby forest.
Following the incident, joint security forces, including police tactical teams, troops from the Nigerian Army, and the Nigerian Navy, conducted a raid on a suspected hideout camp in the Ogwuaneocha community of Ogbaru LGA. However, the camp was found to be deserted. The security team arrested two persons of interest, who are currently assisting in the ongoing investigation. The camp was subsequently razed down by the joint security team.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a convoy of two vehicles was carrying five male officials from the US consulate, accompanied by four armed Mobile Police escorts. The attackers targeted the convoy with gunfire and set the vehicles ablaze. Tragically, three consulate officials and four Mobile Police escorts were killed in the attack. The deceased police officers were identified as Inspector Bukar Adams, Inspector Friday Morgan, Inspector Adam Andrew, and Inspector Emmanuel Lupata, all from Squadron 23 of the Police Mobile Force in Lagos. No US citizens were among the casualties.
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) confirmed that five of their staff members were involved in the attack, along with four policemen. The USAID staff members were identified as Jefferson Obayuwane (Retired DSS personnel), Sunday Prince Ubong, Ekene Nweke, Hassan Etila, and Avwuvie Kaye Monday. The four policemen were named as Bukar A. Kabuiki, Emmanuel Lukpata, Friday Morgan, and Adamu Andrew.
The remains of the deceased have been recovered and deposited in a morgue, while the state police command and other security agencies are tirelessly working, in collaboration with the Anambra State Government, to locate and rescue the missing officials.
Commissioner Echeng appealed to the public to provide any information regarding the identities and whereabouts of the culprits, urging them to cooperate with the police and share such information promptly.
“On behalf of the Anambra State Police Command, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the deceased persons, as well as the US Consulate, over this tragic incident,” Commissioner Echeng expressed. “I want to assure everyone of the determination and resolve of the command and other security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators of these heinous crimes and bring them to justice.”
The investigation into the attack on the US Consulate convoy in Anambra State is ongoing, with authorities committed to ensuring the safety of diplomatic personnel and bringing the culprits to justice.
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