Security operatives rescued in the wee hours of 19th May 2023, two staff of the United States Consulate in Nigeria who were kidnapped during a deadly attack on their convoy at Ogbaru Local Government Area in Anambra State on 16th May 2023.
The attack killed two embassy staff, including four policemen and a driver, making seven persons. Some of those killed were burnt in their vehicles, while the hoodlums took two staff of the embassy hostage. This information was disclosed by the state police spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, during a press release to journalists on Friday in Akwa the state capital. “In the early hours of today, 19/5/2023, the joint security forces rescued unhurt the two remaining victims abducted during the attack on a US convoy attack along Atani/Osomalla road in Ogbaru Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State.”
No details of the rescue were given, including the location or any other information on the state of health of the rescued victims. He stated that the operation was still ongoing and that further details would be communicated.
On 18th May 2023, the Anambra Commissioner for Police, CP Echeng Echeng, revealed to journalists that two persons had been arrested in connection with the crime. He gave the names of those murdered as Inspector Bukar Adams, Inspector Friday Morgan, Inspector Adamu Andrew, and Inspector Emmanuel Lupata; they were all from Squadron 23, Police Mobile Force, Lagos.
According to the CP, information from the USAID authority disclosed that five (5) of their staff and four policemen were involved in the attack The embassy staff are: Jefferson Obayuwane (RTD DSS personnel), Sunday Prince Ubong Ekene Nweke, Hassan Etila and Avwuvie Kaye Monday.
He noted that the police suspected members of the Eastern Security Network ESN/ Indigenous People of Braifa, IPOB to have carried out the attack.
