Victor EzejaThe Nigerian government and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have strongly condemned the attack on the United States Consulate officials in Ogabru Local Government of Anambra State which left four persons dead on Tuesday, 16 May, 2023.
Prime Business Africa had exclusively reported that the motorcade of staff of U.S. Consulate in Nigeria was on Tuesday attacked by gunmen.
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The killed victims were said to be UNICEF medical team on humanitarian aide outreach, while others are officials of the US Consulate Office in Nigeria, a some security personnel attached to them.
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Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement by its Spokesperson, Francisca Omayuli, on Wednesday in Abuja, said the government commiserated with the families of the deceased, assuring them that investigation had already begun with a view to identifying the perpetrators and bringing them to justice.
“The unfortunate incident, which led to the death of two policemen and two staff of the consulate, is condemnable and most regrettable.
“While the investigation to fish out the culprits and bring them to book is ongoing the federal government extends its sympathy and condolences to the families of the deceased as well as to the United States Consulate and Mission in Nigeria over the unfortunate incident.”
It said the government remains undaunted by the ugly incident and reiterated its resolve to continue the fight against all forms of crime and criminality in the country.
On his part, the LP candidate and former Anambra governor, Peter Obi, described the attack as highly “despicable act,” the Ministry stated.
In a statement posted on his official Twitter handle on Wednesday, Obi expressed sympathy for the families of the deceased, the United States Embassy and other charitable International agencies involved, adding “Nothing can be more deplorable than that somebody has to die while rendering a charity job for a people and a nation in need.”
He blamed the rising crime rate in the country to growing poverty level and unemployment, especially among youths. This according to him, “is a consequence of a prolonged leadership failure over the years.”
“When youths in their product ages remain idle for a prolonged time the devil finds in them veritable tools to build workshops in. Our redemption remains a quick turnaround from consumption to production,” Obi added.
He urged the appropriate security agencies to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the perpetrators are fished out.
No U.S. citizen was killed in the attack – Anambra Police
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command has said a joint team of security forces has been deployed for rescue operation.
The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, in a statement released Tuesday, said the hoodlums killed two of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) operatives, and two staff of the Consulate, and set their bodies ablaze and their vehicles.
He alleged that the criminals are suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its security arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
He further said that on sighting the joint security forces, the hoodlums “abducted two police operatives, the driver of the second vehicle and took to their heels,” pointing out that “No U.S. citizen was in the convoy.”
“The Command, while reacting to the situation regrets that a convoy of such or any related will enter the state without recourse to the police in the area or any security agency, assured that the battle against the insurgents in the State is focused and it will remain sustained until such a time security stability is fully restored.
“Further details shall be communicated,” the Ikenga added.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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