Security operatives rescue abducted U.S. Consulate staff in Anambra

Two staff members of the United States Consulate in Nigeria, who were abducted during the infamous attack on their convoy in Ogbaru council area of Anambra State, have been rescued by security operatives in the early hours on Friday.

The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, DSP Tochuchukwu Ikenga, said the joint effort of security operatives in the state led to the successful rescue of the abducted members of the U.S. Consulate.

Persecondnews reported that two staff members of the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria were on Tuesday shot and killed along with two police operatives traveling in a convoy, and three others were kidnapped in the state.

The group was on a humanitarian mission when they were attacked in the Ogbaru Local Government Area of the country’s Anambra State, one of the epicenters of separatist violence in the region, said Tochukwu Ikenga, a police spokesman in Anambra.

Ikenga said no U.S. citizen was on the trip.

“We confirm there was an incident May 16 in Anambra state. Mission Nigeria personnel are working with Nigerian security services to investigate,” a U.S. State Department spokesperson said.

Ikenga, however, said security operatives have launched a full-scale manhunt for the assailants.

He aid: “In the early hours of Friday, May 19, 2023, the joint security forces rescued unhurt the two remaining victims abducted during the attack on a US convoy attack along Atani/Osamela road in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.

“Operations are still ongoing and further details shall be communicated, please.”

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has advised its citizens against travelling to Anambra and to riverine states like Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom and Cross River.

The directive to its nationals which was issued via their website states: “The FCDO advise against all but essential travel to Abia State and non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers States and now also to Anambra State in the Ogbaru area, close to Delta state.

“This follows an attack on a US diplomatic convoy on 16 May 2023. The incident is under investigation.

“Secessionist groups are active in the South East and attacks and violent clashes often occur with the military and other security forces.

“Although foreign nationals are not normally targeted, there is a risk you could be caught in an attack. You should be alert to local government announcements and media reporting.”