Attack On US Consulate Convoy In Ogbaru: US Embassy Visits Anambra
Officials of the American Embassy has paid a courtesy call on the Navy Base, Onitsha, Anambra State, following the attack on the US convoy in Atani, Ogbaru LGA, on Tuesday, 16th May, 2023.
During the visit, the US delegation led by the regional security officer US Consulate in Lagos, Mr Jim Suor, hailed the Navy for rescuing two Staff Members of the embassy abducted by the gunmen.
A source who was privy to the visit said, “The US delegation paid a courtesy visit on the Commander of the base, Navy Captain G Osuobeni on Saturday 20 May 2023 to appreciate the efforts of the Nigeria Navy for their response to the distress call and rescue of the 2 kidnapped US Embassy staff.
“The head of the US team stated that the US Government is highly appreciative of the efforts of security agencies in Anambra state particularly the efforts and supports of the Nigerian navy.
Recall that a team of officials from the Lagos Consulate of the United States of America and their police escorts (USA) 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 hoodlum.
According to the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng at a press briefing, ”Information about the incident was received by Anambra State Police Command, through an official of the consulate, at about 14:30 hours. Consequently, a joint team of Mobile Policemen and troops of the Nigerian Navy stationed in Onitsha was immediately deployed to the area. Upon arrival at the scene of the incident, the joint security team sighted and engaged the assailants in a shot-out but they escaped through a nearby forest.
“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 Ogwuanaocha community in Ogbaru LGA, suspected to be the hideout of the assailants, but discovered that it had been deserted. Two persons of interest were arrested and they are currently assisting the police in the investigation. The criminal camp was razed down by the joint security team.
“The preliminary investigation conducted by the command, following the incident, revealed that five male officials of the USA consulate and four armed Mobile Police escorts 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.
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