2 US embassy staff rescued after abduction in Nigeria

Abuja, 

Security operatives have rescued the two members of staff of the United States Consulate in Nigeria who were kidnapped in an attack on their convoy, in which three humanitarian staff died.

Gunmen suspected to be militias of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a secessionist group, attacked a convoy of seven persons at the Ogbaru Local Government Area in South East Anambra State on May 16.

Mr Tochukwu Ikenga, the Anambra police command spokesman, said on Friday that the two embassy staff were rescued unhurt by joint security forces in the early hours of May 19.

“In the early hours of Friday, the joint security forces rescued the two remaining victims abducted during the attack on a US convoy along Atani/Osamela road in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State. Operations are still ongoing and further details shall be communicated, please,” Ikenga said in Awka, the state capital.

Mr Echeng E. Echeng, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra, on Thursday confirmed that the attack was carried out by suspected members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), a military wing of the IPOB.

He said a team of officials from the US’ Lagos Consulate and their police escorts were ambushed on May 16. 

“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, the joint security team sighted and engaged the assailants in a shootout but they escaped through a nearby forest,” he said.

The security forces comprised police tactical teams from the command and troops of the Nigerian Army as well as the Nigerian Navy.

On May 17, they raided a camp in the Ugwuaneocha community of Ogbaru, which was suspected to be the assailants’ hideout.

The operatives discovered that the camp had been deserted but it was razed and two persons of interest arrested to help with the investigation. 

Preliminary investigations revealed that five male officials of the US consulate and four armed Mobile Police escorted from Lagos were on a mission to assess the impact of erosion in Ogbaru were travelling in a convoy of two vehicles when they suddenly came under attack.

“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 included Bukar Adams, Friday Morgan, Adam Andrew and Emmanuel Lupata all of Squadron 23, Police Mobile Force, Lagos.” he said.

“No US citizen was amongst the casualties.”

The USAID authority disclosed that five of their staff were involved and gave the names as Jefferson Obayuwane, Sunday Prince Ubong, Ekene Nweke, Hassan Etila and Avwuvie Kaye Monday.

Meanwhile, the remains of the deceased persons have been recovered and taken to 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 track the assailants.

In its immediate response to the attack, the United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, on May 17 said that the US was working with the Nigerian law enforcement to bring those responsible to justice.

“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. US Mission personnel are working urgently with their Nigerian counterparts to ascertain the location and condition of the members of the convoy who are unaccounted for,” he said.

“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.”

Mr Blinken noted that the US has no greater priority than the safety and security of its 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.”

Mr Blinken added that the US reaffirmed its commitment to assist the people of Nigeria in the fight against violence and insecurity.

President Muhammadu Buhari also expressed sadness over the attack and condoled with the families of those killed.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, President Buhari said, “I was very sad hearing about the killing of the embassy staff and our policemen accompanying them.”

“In this difficult time for the families of those killed, the American ambassy and the Nigeria Police Force, I extend the nation’s condolences over the very sad incident.”