By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Two staff of the United States Consulate in Nigeria allegedly on humanitarian mission have been killed by hoodlums in the Ogbaru area of Anambra State, along with two of their Police Mobile Force (PMF) escorts. Their bodies were burned along with their vehicles while some other members of the convoy were abducted by the gunmen, who struck yesterday afternoon Tuesday, May 16, 2023.

A source said: “At least four persons were killed in the attack while others sustained injuries. Troops have taken over the community.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident, offering the following details in a statement issued last night:

“Following an attack on a convoy of staff of U.S Consulate around 3:30 p. m. along Atani, Osamale road.

“The hoodlums murdered two of the PMF operatives, and two staff of the Consulate, and set their bodies ablaze and their vehicles.

“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.”

Ikenga said the command was concerned that such officials could visit the state without recourse to the police in the area or any security agency.

The US Mission Nigeria also confirmed the incident, saying its personnel were collaborating with Nigerian security operatives to get to the root of the matter.

“We confirm there was an incident on May 16 in Anambra state. U.S. Mission Nigeria personnel are working with Nigerian security services to investigate.

“The security of our personnel is always paramount, and we take extensive precautions when organizing trips to the field. We have no further comment at this time,” a US Mission Nigeria spokesperson said in response to media inquiry.

News Express reports that Anambra has in recent times become one of the southeastern states with high level of violence.

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