The White House has responded to the recent attack on the staff of the US Consulate in Anambra, Nigeria, expressing condolences for the lives lost. According to reliable sources, the tragic incident claimed the lives of at least four individuals. In an official statement, John Kirby, a spokesperson for the White House, assured the public that no American citizens were among the casualties.
At a press briefing, John Kirby confirmed the incident and emphasized that while there were casualties, no US citizens were involved. He acknowledged the ongoing investigation and urged caution in speculating about the incident’s details. The US Mission Nigeria echoed this sentiment, stating that their personnel were working closely with Nigerian security services to uncover the truth. Their priority remains the safety and security of their staff, and they continue to take extensive precautions when conducting field trips.
The spokesperson for the Anambra Police Command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, shared additional details about the attack. He revealed that the assailants had abducted two police operatives and a driver from the convoy. Tragically, the attackers went to great lengths by burning the corpses of their victims. In response, security forces promptly launched a rescue and recovery operation in the area to mitigate the situation.
Anambra, located in the South Eastern region of Nigeria, has been plagued by a high level of violence. Security operatives have attributed many attacks to the outlawed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). However, the group has consistently denied any involvement in these incidents. The region has witnessed an alarming campaign of violence perpetrated by unidentified gunmen, resulting in numerous lives lost.
White House, Anambra Police Dismisses Claims of American Casualties
Gunmen launched an audacious attack on a convoy of personnel from the U.S. Consulate, which was traversing the Ogbaru Local Government Area. The assailants targeted the convoy, resulting in the unfortunate deaths of two mobile police officers and two employees from the U.S. Consulate. To further compound the brutality of the act, the attackers proceeded to set both the bodies and vehicles ablaze.
In response to this heinous act, the Anambra Police Command has mobilized a Joint Security Force to initiate a search and rescue operation with the objective of locating and apprehending the perpetrators. DSP Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the deployment of this force, emphasizing the commitment to bring the culprits to justice.
Addressing the incident, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga issued a statement providing crucial details and clarifying the facts surrounding the attack. In line with a White House statement, he unequivocally stated that there were no U.S. citizens present in the convoy at the time of the ambush.
Expressing their concern regarding the incident, the Anambra Police Command raised questions about the arrival of such officials in the state without prior consultation with local law enforcement or other security agencies. DSP Tochukwu Ikenga assured the public that the fight against insurgent elements in the state would persist until complete stability was restored.
