The Police have provided further updates on the attack of the staff of USA consulate in an Anambra State, revealing the names of the victims and what their mission to the state was.
We have earlier recalled that a team of officials from the Lagos Consulate of the United States of America and their police escorts were ambushed on 16/05/2023 between 12:00hours and 14:00hours, along Atani/Osamela road in Ogbaru Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State by suspected Eastern Security Network ESN/ Indigenous people of Braifa, IPOB.
Briefing newsmen at Awka on Thursday, the commissioner of police, CP Echeng Echeng, stated that “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.
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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 amongst the casualties.
“Information from the USAID authority disclosed that five (5) 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)
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. In this regard, I call on members of the public who can provide information about the identities and locations of the culprits, to kindly assist the police with such information timeously.
On the efforts by the command during and after the attack, Echeng said more security personnel have been deployed and two suspects have been arrested following a raid on the gunmen’s camp in the area.
“Yesterday – 17/05/2023, joint security forces comprising police tactical teams from the command and troops of the Nigerian Army as well as the Nigerian Navy raided a camp in Ugwuaneocha community of Ogbaru LGA, which was suspected to be the hideout of the assailants, but discovered that it had been deserted. Two persons of interest were arrested and they currently assisting the police in the investigation. The criminal camp was razed down by the joint security team.”
While sympathizing with the family of the deceased, the police boss assured that the command is determined to ensure that the perpetrators of the heinous crime are arrested.
“On behalf of the Anambra State Police Command, I wish to seize this opportunity to condole the families and friends of the deceased persons as well as the USA Consul over this tragic incident.
“May I assure you all of the resolve and determination of the command and other security agencies to track down the perpetrators of these heinous crimes and bring them to justice.”