US Convoy Attack: Anambra Police Arrests Two Individuals Of Interest

Anambra police said Thursday morning that it has in its custody, two individuals of interest in connection with Tuesday’s attack on a US Consulate Convoy leading to the death of three officials of the consulate and four security operatives along Atani/Osamela road, Ogbaru council area of the state.

The development was disclosed in a press briefing at the command headquarters, Awka, by the state Police Commissioner, CP Echeng Echeng.

In a statement made available to newsmen by command spokesperson, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, the commissioner explained that a combined team of security operatives, comprising the police, army and naval personnel quickly deployed to the scene and engaged the gunmen in a gun dwell. 

The statement noted however, that the gunmen escaped into nearby forest.

“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,” he said in the statement.

The commissioner added that while still in pursuit of the gunmen, the security team raided one of their identified hideouts, located in Ugwuaneocha community, which was found deserted upon the team's arrival.

“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.”

CP Echeng, who condoled with the US Consul, families and friends of the deceased persons, assured however, that his command will do everything within its powers to track down and bring the perpetrators of the heinous murder to book.

“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,” he assured.

It would be recalled that officials of the US consulate who were on a mission to assess the impact of erosion in Ogbaru council area of the state, ran into an ambush laid by yet to be identified gunmen on Tuesday, April 16.

Three of the officials were killed alongside four security personnel, including Inspectors Bukar Adams, Friday Morgan, Adam Andrew and Emmanuel Lupata, all of Squadron 23, Police Mobile Force, Lagos.

The statement emphasized that no US citizen was among those killed in the unfortunate incident. However, a statement by the US consulate noted that five of their personnel were involved in the incident. They are Jefferson Obayuwane, Rtd DSS personnel, Sunday Prince Ubong, Ekene Nweke, Hassan Etila and Avwuvie Kaye Monday.