The United States Government has vowed to work with the Nigerian law enforcement to seek justice against those people responsible for the attack on mission officials in Anambra State on Tuesday.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken who made this known in a statement released on Wednesday said, United States reaffirms its commitment to the people of Nigeria to assist in the fight against violence and insecurity.
According to the statement, “Unknown assailants yesterday 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 statement explained.
Secretary Blinken who said United States do not yet know the motive for the attack, pointed out that there’s no indications at this time that it was targeted against US Mission.
He confirmed that 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 Secretary further said United States condemn in the strongest terms this attack, vowed that US government will work closely with the Nigerian law enforcement colleagues in seeking to bring those responsible to justice.
According to him, “The United States has no greater priority than the safety and security of our 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”, Secretary Blinken said.