WICKED:
Unknown Nigeria Assailants ambush U.S. Embassy Convoy in Anambra state, kill two policemen, two Diplomatic members, set victims’ bodies on fire, others missing
…United States Government condemn barbaric action, promise to track the gun-thirsty killers and ensure the safety of its mission staff
*“The United States has no greater priority than the safety and security of our personnel. We express our heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed in the attack and pledge to do everything possible to safely recover those who remain missing”-U.S. Govt
*“We’ll bring those responsible for the attack on the U.S convoy to justice”-U.S. Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken
*BY TIM KAYODE/SPECIAL Crime Correspondent in Nigeria & GEORGE ELIJAH OTUMU/AMERICA Senior Investigative Editor
The government of the United States has condemned in the strongest term the nefarious activities of some unknown Nigerian assailants who took laws into their hands and illegally attack the convoy of the U.S. Embassy who had embarked on a humanitarian journey to Anambra state. Four people were killed in the incidence who were part of the convoy: two Nigerian policemen, two Diplomatic members from U.S. Mission in Nigeria. Sources in Nigeria intelligence services alleged, bodies of these victims were set ablaze by the blood-thirsty killers to avert traces.
The US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken has condemned the attack on the American convoy to Nigeria, noting that his country would walk with Nigeria’s authority to bring those responsible to justice.
Recall that on Tuesday, unknown assailants attacked a convoy of two US government vehicles in the Ogbaru local government area, in Anambra state. The convoy was carrying nine Nigerian nationals: five employees of the U.S. Mission to Nigeria and four members of the Nigeria Police Force. They were traveling in advance of a planned visit by U.S. Mission personnel to a U.S.-funded flood response project in Anambra.
Reacting to the attack, Blinken on Wednesday noted that the United States took the security of her personnel seriously, and as such would leave no stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators of the attack to book.
Part of his words: ” We do not yet know the motive for the attack, but we have no indications at this time that it was targeted against our Mission. The assailants killed at least four members of the convoy, and U.S. Mission personnel are working urgently with Nigerian counterparts to ascertain the location and condition of the members of the convoy who are unaccounted for.
“We condemn in the strongest terms this attack. We will work closely with our Nigerian law enforcement colleagues in seeking to bring those responsible to justice.
“The United States has no greater priority than the safety and security of our personnel. We express our heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed in the attack and pledge to do everything possible to safely recover those who remain missing. We deeply value our relationship with our Locally Employed Staff and our partnership with Nigeria.
“The United States reaffirms its commitment to the people of Nigeria to assist in the fight against violence and insecurity, ” US Secretary of State reiterated.
Some gunmen ambushed a diplomatic convoy carrying US Embassy personnel on a humanitarian mission to Anambra on Tuesday.
The gunmen killed four people, including two police officers, at the Amiyi-Eke Ochuche axis in the Ogbaru council area. The bodies of the victims were set on fire by the attackers.
However, the U.S. government in a statement posted on the official website of the US Department of State on Wednesday and signed by Antony Blinken condemned the attack.
Blinken said the mission personnel were working urgently with Nigerian counterparts to ascertain the location and condition of the members of the convoy who were unaccounted for.
Part of his words: “We do not yet know the motive for the attack, but we have no indications at this time that it was targeted against our Mission. The assailants killed at least four members of the convoy, and U.S. Mission personnel are working urgently with Nigerian counterparts to ascertain the location and condition of the members of the convoy who are unaccounted for.
“We condemn in the strongest terms this attack. We will work closely with our Nigerian law enforcement colleagues in seeking to bring those responsible to justice.
“The United States has no greater priority than the safety and security of our personnel. We express our heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed in the attack and pledge to do everything possible to safely recover those who remain missing. We deeply value our relationship with our Locally Employed Staff and our partnership with Nigeria.
“The United States reaffirms its commitment to the people of Nigeria to assist in the fight against violence and insecurity”, the US Secretary of State reiterated.
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