ANAMBRA, Nigeria — In an alarming incident that has stirred international concern, unidentified gunmen attacked staff of the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, resulting in multiple fatalities.
The assault occurred on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, along the Atani-Osamala road in the Ogbaru Local Government Area, a remote riverine community in the Anambra State.
Chukwuma Soludo, the governor of Anambra State, sternly denounced the incident on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, expressing profound condolences to the U.S. Embassy and the families of the victims.
“On behalf of the government and great people of Anambra State, we express deep condolences to the bereaved families and organizations, particularly the U.S. Embassy, over the death of their staff and policemen,” said Christian Aburime, Soludo’s press secretary, reading from the governor’s statement.
The Governor’s Office, indicating a commitment to swiftly bring the assailants to justice, called for public cooperation.
Soludo urged anyone with information on the identity or whereabouts of the attackers to report to the local security agencies or use the state’s secure phone lines, promising a generous reward for crucial information.
“This incident in a remote riverine community in Ogbaru local government is a reminder that patches of these criminal gangs can still unleash senseless and murderous acts,” the statement read.
Despite this unsettling event, the Anambra State Government underscored their successful efforts to ensure the region’s safety and law enforcement.
The governor cited the recent elimination of a notorious criminal gang leader and his accomplices, arguing that Anambra remains one of the safest states in Nigeria.
Governor Soludo also pointed to coordination issues between local and foreign security forces.
He revealed that the U.S. team had made their own security arrangements, bypassing the existing security infrastructure in the state.
This oversight, he suggested, might have made them a target for criminal gangs in the area.
The governor emphasized the importance of improved coordination to avoid such incidents in the future.
“Together, we will prevail over those who seek to disrupt the peace and stability of our society,” Governor Soludo asserted, demonstrating an unyielding resolve to protect his constituents and ensure justice for the victims.
