Nigerian President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has deeply shocked to learn of the attack on United States Embassy convoy in Anambra on 16th May, 2023, just hours after his telephone call with the Secretary of State, Antony Blinken.
Tinubu who on his social media platform Friday made this known, expressed his sympathy and condolences with the US Govt and families of the four personnel killed in the horrific attack at Ogabru, Anambra State.
President-elect, Tinubu has been making his own enquiries into the persons responsible and their motives, promised that he will do all he can to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.
“Security is one of the cardinal issues on the agenda of Asíwájú Tinubu and will give it priority attention on resumption of office, which is why it featured prominently in his discussion with Secretary Blinken”, he said.
Meanwhile, two U.S. Mission employees missing since the May 16 attack in Anambra state are alive and safe, and under the protection of Nigerian authorities in Anambra, according to the statement released by the Embassy on Friday.
The US Embassy said further that their family have been informed with the development. “We have informed their families of their safe recovery. U.S. Mission personnel are on their way to meet and accompany them home.
“We continue to work intensively with Nigerian security and law enforcement on this matter, to identify the victims previously found, and to bring to justice those responsible for this heinous attack. We welcome any information the public may have in this regard.
“We are deeply grateful for the partnership and solidarity of the Nigerian government and Nigerian security and law enforcement colleagues, and mourn with them for those who died in the attack”, the statement said.
It was reported that unknown assailants on 16th May, 2023, attacked a convoy of two U.S. government vehicles in the Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra state, Nigeria.
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.
The assailants killed at least four members of the convoy, and U.S. Mission personnel are working urgently with Nigerian counterparts to ascertain location and condition of the members of the convoy who are unaccounted for.
The United States Government in its response over the unfortunate incident, condemned in the strongest terms, saying it will continue work closely with the Nigerian law enforcement colleagues in seeking to bring those responsible to justice.