Four killed as gunmen attack US Embassy officials in Nigeria

May 17, 2023

By Amaka Umeh

Anambra, Nigeria - Four staff of the United States Embassy in Nigeria have been shot dead after their vehicle was ambushed in Anambra State, South, East, Nigeria.

The Humanitarian post reports that the incident happened on Tuesday in the Amiyi/Eke Ochuche communities, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Tochukwu Ikenga said that the gunmen murdered two of the Police Mobile Force operatives and two staff of the consulate, and set their bodies ablaze and their vehicles.

“A joint team of security forces was deployed to the scene but arrived only after the assailants escaped with two other police officers and one of the drivers.

“No U.S. citizen was on the trip.

“The murderers on sighting the responding joint security forces abducted two police operatives, the driver of the second vehicle and took to their heels,” Ikenga said.

The U.S. State Department said its personnel in Nigeria are working with the nation's security agencies to investigate Tuesday's attack.

"The security of our personnel is always paramount, and we take extensive precautions when organizing trips to the field," the State Department said in a statement.

Some commuters told the humanitarian post that said the gunmen had stormed the venue where some of the residents in the community had gathered awaiting medical treatment from the UNICEF officials.

Anambra State have been the epicenter of many attacks in recent times. These attacks are reportedly carried by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOP) movement who have been leading a campaign for the region to break away from Nigeria to form an independent country.

The Humanitarian Post