…but according to media reports, four officials of the US Consulate were shot dead by the gunmen
Police in Anambra State have revealed identities of casualties recorded during Tuesday’s hoodlums’ attack between Amiyi/Eke Ochuche communities in Ogbaru Local Government Area of the State.
Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga in a statement, said the deceased were two Police Mobile Force (PMF) operatives and two staff of the United States Consulate.
Media reports had it that four officials of the US Consulate were shot dead by gunmen, while others sustained injuries after escaping with their vehicle.
Ikenga added that beyond the killings, the hoodlums set ablaze both the bodies of the deceased and their vehicles.
He said the hoodlums also abducted two Police operatives, the driver of the second vehicle and fled.
He said, “The Joint Security Forces have embarked on a rescue/recovery operation in Ogbaru LGA, following an attack on a convoy of staff of U S Consulate today 16/5/2023 by 3:30 pm along Atani, Osamale road.
“The hoodlums murdered two of the Police Mobile Force PMF operatives, and two staff of the Consulate, and set their bodies ablaze and their vehicles.
“Also, the arsonist/murderers were suspected to be members proscribed Indigenous people of Brafia IPOB and Eastern security network ESN on sighting the responding joint security forces abducted two Police operatives, the driver of the second vehicle and took to their heels. No U S citizen was in the convoy.
“The Command, while reacting to the situation regrets that a convoy of such or any related will enter the state without recourse to the police in the area or any security agency, assured that the battle against the insurgents in the State is focused and it will remain sustained until such a time security stability is fully restored.”
