Armed attackers on Tuesday killed four people working with the United States Embassy, including two police officers, officials and witnesses said. 

The victims were in a diplomatic convoy when they came under heavy attack around Amiyi-Eke Ochuche in the Ogbaru Local Government Area, Anambra.

The police in Anambra said the gunmen killed two staff members of the American consulate and two policemen. 

Police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga said the police engaged the hoodlums in a shoot-out, adding that two security operatives were abducted.

He, however, noted that security agents have already embarked on a rescue mission to save other abducted victims. 

“The joint security forces have embarked on a rescue/recovery operation in Ogbaru LGA, following an attack on a convoy of staff of U.S. Consulate today, May 15, 2023, by 3:30 p.m. along Atani-Osamale Road.

“Also, the arsonist/murderers on sighting the responding joint security forces, abducted two police operatives, the driver of the second vehicle and took to their heels. No U S citizen was in the convoy,” the police said.

A witness who spoke with Peoples Gazette about the incident on Tuesday night said the deceased were all on a humanitarian mission when the gunmen struck.

“I saw the dead bodies while being moved out of the vehicle,” a witness said. 

The Gazette was further told that security agents have taken over the area in a search for the perpetrators of the dastardly attack. 

A local in the community who gave his name as Ifeanyi said the attacked vehicle had UNICEF inscribed on it and had blood stains.

“I think it was an ambush because I saw the vehicle with blood stains. The driver tried all means to escape with the occupants,” he said. 

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but there were already suggestions by security agents that it might be linked to separatist IPOB elements operating across South-East Nigeria.