The police authorities in Anambra State have arrested two persons in connection with the killing of United States (USA) staff and policemen in Anambra State.
The commissioner of police, Echeng Echeng disclosed this in Awka, the state capital yesterday.
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He said a joint police, army and Nigeria Navy team is in search of the missing two officials of the US consulate after their convoy was attacked along Atani-Ossomala Road in the riverine Ogbaru local government area.
Echeng told newsmen at the state headquarters of the police command that joint security operatives of the command and Nigeria Navy had already traced the hideout of the attackers to a location in a forest in Ogwuaniocha community in the Ogbaru local government but that the hoodlums had deserted the place, adding, that the security operatives had “razed down” the camp of the criminals there.
Echeng stated further that preliminary investigation showed that a total of seven officials of the US consulate were killed in the attack allegedly carried out by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB and Eastern Security Network, ESN who later burnt the bodies of those killed and their vehicles, but, that none of the victims was an American citizen.
He, also, stated that two officials of the US consulate who got missing during the incident were yet to be found.
“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”, CP Echeng stated.
He said that two suspects, however, have been arrested in connection with the attack on the US consulate officials who according to him were helping the police with information concerning the incident, and, urged members of the public to come forward with any credible information that would help the police unravel those behind the attack.
He gave further account concerning the US consulate officials attacked: “Information about the incident was received by Anambra State Police Command, through an official of the consulate, at about 14:30 hours. Consequently, a joint team of Mobile Policemen and troops of the Nigerian Navy stationed in Onitsha was immediately deployed to the area. Upon arrival at the scene of the incident, the joint security team sighted and engaged the assailants in a shot-out but they escaped through a nearby forest.
“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 include Inspr. Bukar Adams, Inspr. Friday Morgan, Inspr. Adam Andrew and Inspr. Emmanuel Lupata* all of Squadron 23, Police Mobile Force, Lagos. _No USA citizen was amongst the casualties.
“Information from the USAID authorities disclosed that five (5) 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) Adamu Andrew -(Police).”
Meanwhile, CP Echeng stated that 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”, he said.
Echeng commiserated with the families and friends of the deceased persons as well as the USA Consul over this tragic incident, and, assured the resolve and determination of the command and other security agencies to track down the perpetrators of the heinous crimes and bring them to justice,
Meanwhile, the state government has promised to reward anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the killers of some United States of America (USA) consulate officials and policemen in the state on Tuesday.
The state government pledge was disclosed in a statement by the press secretary to the governor, Mr Christian Aburime.
The state government called on anyone with information on the identity or whereabouts of the criminals to offer same on our secured security phone numbers or to any of the security agencies and such informant will be handsomely rewarded.
“We assure our residents and visitors of our continued commitment to law and order. If anything, this incident has emboldened our drive,” Aburime said.