Anambra police confirm nine fatalities in assault on US convoy
Anambra State Police Command has confirmed that nine people lost their lives in an ambush attack on a US convoy in the state on May 16.
The command released a press statement through DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Anambra Police Command spokesman in Awka, on Thursday.
According to the statement, the Anambra State Police Command received information about the incident from an official of the US consulate.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the US consulate officials were on a mission to assess the impact of erosion in the Ogbaru Local Government Area (LGA).
The attack occurred along the Atani/Osamela road in Ogbaru LGA and was carried out by suspected members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN)/Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Upon arriving at the scene, the joint security team engaged the assailants in a shoot-out, but they managed to escape through a nearby forest.
The Anambra State Police Command, along with police tactical teams, Nigerian Army troops, and the Nigerian Navy, conducted a search for the attackers.
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They raided a suspected hideout in the Ugwuaneocha community of Ogbaru LGA, but found it deserted.
However, two persons of interest have been arrested and are currently assisting the police with their investigation.
The joint security team also burned down the criminal camp discovered during the raid.
The fallen heroes of the US consulate were identified as Jefferson Obayuwane (a retired DSS personnel), Sunday Prince Ubong, Ekene Nweke, Hassan Etila, Avwuvie Kaye, Monday, Bukar A. Kabuiki (police), Emmanuel Lukpata (police), Friday Morgan (police), and Adamu Andrew (police).
The remains of the deceased have been recovered and deposited in a morgue.
The Anambra State Police Command, in collaboration with other security agencies and the government of Anambra State, is working tirelessly to locate and rescue the missing officials.
Ikenga urged the public to support their efforts by providing quality information about the identities and whereabouts of the culprits.
The Commissioner expressed condolences to the families and friends of the deceased and extended sympathies to the USA Consulate.
He assured that every effort would be made to track down the perpetrators of these heinous crimes and bring them to justice.
NAN
