Suspected gunmen, on Tuesday reportedly attacked a United States (US) Consulate staff convoy along Atani, Osamale Road in Anambra State.
During the attack, four persons were feared dead. The spokesman of the Anambra State Police Command Tobechukwu Ikenga confirmed the development in a statement.
Ikenga however said no American citizen was in the convoy.
He said, “The Joint Security Forces have embarked on a rescue/recovery operation in Ogbaru LGA, following an attack on a convoy of staff of U S Consulate today 16/5/2023 by 3:30 pm along Atani, Osamale Road.
“The hoodlums murdered two of the PMF operatives, and two staff of the Consulate, and set their bodies and vehicles ablaze. 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 U S citizen was in the convoy.”
The command also expressed deep regret over the convoy’s entry into the state without the involvement of the police or any other security agency in the area.
The police said it would remain resolute in its fight against insurgents and would continue to do so until security stability was fully restored.
In response to the attack, the US National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby confirmed that no American citizen was affected.
He said on his YouTube channel, “I just got informed about a whole lot before coming out here to talk to you all. Just looks like a US convoy vehicle was attacked.
“What I can tell you is that no US citizens were involved and therefore there was no US citizens hurt. But we are aware of some casualties perhaps even some killed.”
Police further vowed to smoke out the perpetrators in due cause.
