At least, two people have been arrested by the joint security operation trailing the attackers of the US Consulate staff who came to Anambra State from US Consulate Lagos, for environmental impact assessment of erosion in Ogbaru local government area, but were ambushed and killed by gunmen.
In a press briefing by the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Echeng Echeng on Thursday morning, he noted that “two persons of interest” have been arrested in connection with the attack on staffers of the US Consulate who came to Ogbaru local government for erosion assessment from the US Consulate office in Lagos. He also noted that the attack was undertaken by suspected ESN and IPOB members and that the information of the attack got to the Command from the US Consulate office in Lagos before 3pm, on Tuesday. “Ambush on US Consulate from Lagos and their Police escort to assess erosion site in Ogbaru, was carried out by suspected ESN and IPOB members. We received the information at about 14:30hrs from the US Consulate in Lagos. The police and Navy officers teamed up and went there, but upon sighting them, the hoodlums escaped into the bush.”
Yesterday, according to CP Echeng, the joint security force went to the camp of the insurgents in Ogwuaniocha in Ogbaru and cleared the place but the hoodlums have already taken off, however, two people have been arrested. “Joint security forces have cleared the Ogwuaniocha camp; two persons of interest were arrested.”
On the number of persons that were involved in the tragedy, the CP said that preliminary investigation has revealed that five staff of the US Consulate and four police officers were involved. However, seven persons were killed during the attack. Three staff of the US Consulate and four police officers attached to the convoy, while two persons are still missing. Some of those killed are; Jefferson Obayiwana, Sunday Ubong, Ekene Nweke, Boko Adams and others. He also noted that their remains have been recovered and deposited in a morgue at Onitsha.
Speaking on the attack while responding to question, CP Echeng said that the “convoy was a target of opportunity”. He also noted that security agencies in the Southeast are in “constant collaboration.” However, the CP regretted that the bandits have sympathizers who give them information. “As you move, they tell them that you are coming. These people have sympathizers. It’s like economic crime now. Imagine a vulcaniser who couldn’t make up to N10, 000, now, he kidnaps and makes millions. They are large…but we are working round the clock to restore order,” CP Echeng assures.
The CP condoled with the families of the deceased and as well as the US Consulate, while assuring residents of Anambra that the police will not leave any stone unturned in its efforts towards the security of lives and properties of residents and visitors. He further encouraged residents who have useful information to approach the police with the information.
He is a Technical Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano’s Special Adviser on Legislative Matters, whoonce was a Special Adviser to a former Deputy Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly. Ebuka is a second class upper division graduate of Political Science from University of Calabar, Calabar Nigeria and holds a Masters Degree in Political Science with specialization in Government and Development Studies, from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Nigeria
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