ANAMBRA, Nigeria – Anambra State Police have arrested two individuals in connection with the deadly ambush on U.S. Consulate officials earlier this week, as the search for the culprits intensifies.
Echeng Echeng, Commissioner of the Anambra State Police Command, shared this breakthrough in a press conference on Thursday, May 18, 2023, in Awka.
His team reportedly made swift moves following the incident, leading to a raid on a deserted hideout within Ogbaru Local Government Area.
“As you are probably aware, a team of officials from the Lagos Consulate of the United States of America and their police escorts were ambushed on May 16, 2023,” Echeng began.
His statement elucidated a rapidly unfolding chain of events that culminated in the arrest of the two suspects who are now aiding the investigation.
The camp used by the gunmen had been abandoned by the time the security forces arrived.
However, “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,” Echeng detailed.
Tracking the culprits through their phone conversations, the police command is closing in on the perpetrators.
Echeng declined to apportion blame, instead focusing on the priority: “to get the perpetrators to face the law.”
The U.S. embassy has been working closely with the Anambra police, aiding them with crucial information about the U.S. officials involved and their mission to assess the impact of erosion in Ogbaru LGA.
Echeng painted a vivid picture of the attack: “Five male officials of the USA consulate and four armed Mobile Police escorted from Lagos 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.”
Seven lives were lost, including three consulate officials and four Mobile Police escorts.
The missing officials are yet to be found, their names released in hopes that public information might help their rescue.
“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,” the Commissioner revealed.
“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,” Echeng concluded.
The Nigerian police, in partnership with local and international stakeholders, are determined to bring the culprits to justice, with their firm resolve embodied in Echeng’s parting assurance: “May I assure you all of the resolve and determination of the command and other security agencies to track down the perpetrators.”
