The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Echeng Echeng, has said that the gunmen who ambushed and attacked the diplomatic convoy carrying US Consulate personnel on a humanitarian mission to Anambra on Tuesday are suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant unit, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

Echeng said this on Thursday during a press briefing with journalists in the state.

Regarding the tragic incident, the police commissioner said operatives of the state command had arrested two persons of interest in connection with the bloody attack.

He added that they were already assisting the police with their investigation.

Reporters had reported how gunmen attacked the US Consulate humanitarian workers on Tuesday at the Amiyi-Eke Ochuche axis in Ogbaru Local Government Area of the State, set their vehicles ablaze and killed some of the officials.

Whereas it was reported that a total of four persons were killed in the attack including two police officers, the Commissioner of Police told journalists that seven people were killed including three of the Consulate officials and four Police Mobile personnel while two other officials of the Consulate were still missing.

Echeng said, “A joint team of the Police Mobile Force and troops of the Nigerian Navy stationed in Oloja were immediately deployed to the scene of the incident. Upon arrival at the scene of the incident, the joint security team sighted and engaged the assailants in a shootout but they escaped through the nearby forest.

“On May 17, 2023, joint security forces comprising the police, the Nigerian Army, the Navy and DSS raided a camp in Ugwuaniocha Community of Ogbaru Local Government Area, which was suspected to be the hideout of the assailants, but discovered that the camp had been totally deserted.

“However, two persons of interest were arrested and are already assisting the police in the investigation. The camp was totally razed down by the troops.

“Preliminary investigations conducted by the Command following the incident revealed that five male officials of the United States Consulate and four PMF personnel escort from Lagos were on a mission to assess the impact of erosion in Ogbaru Local Government and were traveling in a convoy of two vehicles when they suddenly came under attack by the gunmen who targeted them with gunfire and set their vehicles ablaze.

“Regrettably, seven persons including three of the Consulate officials and four Police Mobile personnel were killed during the attack while two other officials of the Consulate are still missing.”

The CP identified the murdered police officers as Inspector Goka Adams, Inspector Friday Morgan, Inspector Adam Andrew and Inspector Emmanuel Lukpata, all of 23 PMF, Lagos.

According to him, no US citizen was killed in the attack.

He noted that information shows that the five US Embassy staff who were involved in the attack include a security officer, drivers and a mechanic.

The remains of the deceased have all been recovered and deposited in a morgue at Boromi Hospital while police and other security agencies are working with the state government to rescue the missing persons and arrest the perpetrators.

However, when questioned on the blame by the police that the US Embassy failed to obtain a security pass before entering the state and a violent community, leading to the death of the officials, the CP simply said that there was no need for a blame game.

He said the Command’s focus is to rescue the missing persons and arrest the assailants.