Police Arrest Two In Connection With Attack On US Consulate Convoy
Following Tuesday’s attack on the US Consulate convoy along Atani/Osamela road in Ogbaru Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State, the State Police Command has arrested two suspects connected with the incident.
Five male officials of the USA consulate and four armed Mobile Police Officers traveled from Lagos State to assess the impact of erosion in Ogbaru LGA. However, on getting to Atani/Osamela road, the assailant attacked them, killed seven of them and abducted two others.
The assailants are believed to be suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) / Eastern Security Network (ESN). A joint team of Mobile Policemen and troops of the Nigerian Navy stationed in Onitsha, responding to a distress call, sighted and engaged the assailants in a shot-out, but they escaped through a nearby forest.
Continuing the manhunt for the assailants, joint security forces comprising Police tactical teams from the Command and troops of the Nigerian Army as well as the Nigerian Navy, on Wednesday, raided a camp in Ugwuaneocha community of Ogbaru LGA, which was suspected to be the hideout of the assailants, but it had been deserted. The criminal camp was razed down by the joint security team.
Giving an update on the incident on Thursday, the State Police Commissioner of Police, CP Echeng Echeng, said two persons of interest were arrested in the raid and are currently assisting the Police in the investigation.
“The preliminary investigation conducted by the command, following the incident, revealed that five male officials of the USA consulate and four armed Mobile Police escorted from Lagos on a mission to assess the impact of erosion in Ogbaru LGA were travelling in a convoy of two vehicles when they suddenly came under attack by armed men who targeted them with gunfire and set their vehicles ablaze. Regrettably, seven persons (including three of the consulate officials and four Mobile Police escorts) were murdered during the attack, while two other officials of the consulate are yet to be found. The deceased police officers include Inspr. Bukar Adams, Inspr. Friday Morgan, Inspr. Adam Andrew and Inspr. Emmanuel Lupata all of Squadron 23, Police Mobile Force, Lagos. No USA citizen was among the casualties.
“Information from the USAID authority disclosed that five of their staff and four Policemen were involved in the attack are Jefferson Obayuwane (RTD 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).
“Meanwhile, the remains of the deceased persons have all been recovered and deposited in a morgue while the state police command and other security agencies are working round-the-clock, in concert with the Government of Anambra State, to find and rescue the missing officials,” he said.
The Police are appealing to members of the public who can provide information about the identities and locations of the culprits to come forward.
Anambra State Government has also pledged to handsomely reward anyone who offers useful information through secured security phone numbers or to any security agencies.
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