FG rescues 2 U.S Consulate staff abducted in Ogbaru attack
Key highlights
- The two were rescued early Friday unhurt by joint security forces, after they were ambushed by gunmen Tuesday.
- Ambushed saw the killing of seven including police personnel, and abducted two
- FG earlier confirmed that two U.S. embassy officials and two Nigerian policemen accompanying them were killed in an attack by gunmen in Anambra.
The Nigerian Government has announced the rescue of two workers of the United States Consulate Lagos, abducted in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra.
This was disclosed in a statement on Friday by Anambra Police Command Spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, as gunmen on the 16th of May attacked a convoy carrying U.S consulate officials.
Rescue
Anambra Police Command Spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, stated that Security operatives rescued two workers of the United States Consulate Lagos, abducted in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra on May 16.
The statement read that the two were rescued early Friday unhurt by joint security forces, after they were ambushed by gunmen on Tuesday, killing seven including police personnel, and abducted two.
The bodies of those killed were also set ablaze by the gunmen along Atani-Osamala road in Anambra, the Police added that the security forces have sustained security operation in the area, the statement added:
- “ Further details would be communicated to the public on the operation
What you should know
In the statement, this week President Muhammadu Buhari expressed condolences on the loss of lives of two U.S. embassy officials and two Nigerian policemen accompanying them in an attack by gunmen in Anambra.
The victims were on official duty in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra state, the statement read:
- “I was very sad hearing about the killing of the embassy staff and our policemen accompanying them.
- ”In this difficult time for the families of those killed, the American Embassy and the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, I extend the nation’s condolences over the very sad incident.”
According to the Presidency, President Buhari was briefed about the tragic killing of several persons in Bwoi District of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau, and that of several villagers in Adaka village in Makurdi Local Government and in Ijaha community of Apa Local Government Area of Benue.
- “We share the grief of the American Embassy, the Nigeria Police Force and our communities in Plateau and Benue and remain committed to fishing out the perpetrators of the attacks and bringing them to justice.
- ”May God give their families the strength to bear the unfortunate losses.”
Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the attack in a statement by the ministry’s Spokesperson, Francisca Omayuli, on Wednesday in Abuja, they said:
- “The Federal Government received with dismay the sad news of the attack on the convoy of the staffers of the U.S. Consulate on May 16, 2023 in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State by yet-to-be-identified gunmen.
- “The unfortunate incident, which led to the death of two policemen and two staff of the consulate, is condemnable and most regrettable.
- “While the investigation to fish out the culprits and bring them to book is ongoing the federal government extends its sympathy and condolences to the families of the deceased as well as to the United States Consulate and Mission in Nigeria over the unfortunate incident.
- “The Federal Government remains undaunted by this sad development and reiterates its commitment to the continued fight against all forms of crime and criminality in the country.”
