Anambra CP Says “Two Persons of Interest Arrested”
By Charles Adingupu
The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng, has given details of how three staff and four policemen in the convoy of the United States of America Consulate Office were killed on May 16, 2023 in Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.
The Commissioner on Thursday told newsmen that 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 at about 3:30pm. He said a joint team of Mobile Policemen and troops of the Nigerian Navy stationed in Onitsha were immediately deployed to 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,” he said.
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 currently 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 escorts from Lagos on a mission to assess the impact of erosion in Ogbaru LGA were traveling 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 are: 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”
He said information from the USAID authority disclosed that five of their staff that were involved in the attack are: Jefferson Obayuwane (RTD DSS personnel) Sunday Prince Ubong, Ekene Nweke, Hassan Etila, Avwuvie Kaye Monday.
According to the commissioner, “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 condoled the families and friends of the deceased persons as well as the USA Consul office over the tragic incident and assured the public of the resolve of his command and other security agencies to track down the perpetrators of these heinous crimes and bring them to justice.
