How IPOB killed three staff members, four policemen in US Consulate convoy; Police nab two suspects — CP

The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng, has narrated how staff of the United States of America Consulate were attacked on May 16, 2023 in Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner on Thursday gave the details of the incident in which three of the staff and four policemen were killed.

According to Echeng, the team of officials from the Lagos Consulate of the United States of America and their police escorts were ambushed between 12noon and 2pm along Atani/Osamela Road in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State by suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and their armed wing, Eastern Security Network.

He explained that information about the incident was received by Anambra State Police Command through an official of the consulate about 3:30pm.

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Consequently, a joint team of Mobile Policemen and troops of the Nigerian Navy stationed in Onitsha were immediately deployed in the area.

Upon arrival at the scene of the incident, the joint security team sighted and engaged the assailants in a shootout, but they escaped through a nearby forest.

Echeng further narrated: “Yesterday – 17th of May, joint security forces comprising police tactical teams from the command and troops of the Nigerian Army as well as the Nigerian Navy raided a camp in Ugwuaneocha community of Ogbaru LGA, which was suspected to be the hideout of the assailants, but discovered that it had been deserted.

“Two persons of interest were arrested, and they are assisting the police in the investigation.

“The criminal camp was razed down by the joint security team.

“The preliminary investigation conducted by the command, following the incident, revealed that five male officials of the USA consulate and four armed Mobile Police escorted from Lagos on a mission to assess the impact of erosion in Ogbaru LGA 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.

“Regrettably, seven persons, including three of the consulate officials and four Mobile Police escorts, were murdered during the attack while two other officials of the consulate are yet to be found.

“The deceased police officers: Inspector Bukar Adams, Inspector Friday Morgan, Inspector Adam Andrew and Inspector Emmanuel Lupata, all of Squadron 23, Police Mobile Force, Lagos.

“No USA citizen was amongst the casualties.

“Information from the USAID authority disclosed that five of their staff and four policemen were involved in the attack are: Jefferson Obayuwane (RTD DSS personnel) Sunday Prince Ubong, Ekene Nweke, Hassan Etila, Avwuvie Kaye Monday, Bukar . A. Kabuiki – (Police) Emmanuel Lukpata – (Police) Friday Morgan – (Police) and Adamu Andrew – (Police).

“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.

“In this regard, I call on members of the public who can provide information about the identities and locations of the culprits, to kindly assist the police with such information timeously.

“On behalf of the Anambra State Police Command, I wish to seize this opportunity to condole the families and friends of the deceased persons as well as the USA Consul over this tragic incident.

“May I assure you all of the resolve and determination of the command and other security agencies to track down the perpetrators of these heinous crimes and bring them to justice.”