The United States of America has strongly condemned the killing of two of its mission staff and kidnapping of three others in an armed attack on its mission convoy in Anambra State, Nigeria on Tuesday.
The US has further expressed its resolve to see that the perpetrators of the crime are brought to book and to cooperate with Nigerian security authorities in the investigation.
In a carefully worded statement, the US says that it has no greater priority than the safety of its staff and that it will do everything possible to recover those who remain missing.
Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, said in the statement seen on the State Department website, Wednesday: ”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.
“We do not yet know the motive for the attack, but we have no indications at this time that it was targeted against our Mission. The assailants killed at least four members of the convoy, and U.S. Mission personnel are working urgently with Nigerian counterparts to ascertain the location and condition of the members of the convoy who are unaccounted for.
“We condemn in the strongest terms this attack. We will work closely with our Nigerian law enforcement colleagues in seeking to bring those responsible to justice.
“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.”
The United States reaffirms its commitment to the people of Nigeria to assist in the fight against violence and insecurity.
President Muhammadu Buhari said in a condolence message Wednesday, that he was “very sad” about the killing of the embassy staff members and the police officers accompanying them.
“In this difficult time for the families of those killed, the American Embassy and the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, I extend the nation’s condolences over the very sad incident,” the President stated.
Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, likewise condemned the attack which he described as heinous and unprovoked.
Soludo promised that the state government would actively work with the security agencies to bring the criminals to justice.
“We call on anyone with information on the identity or whereabouts of the criminals to offer same on our secured security phone numbers or to any of the security agencies and such informant will be handsomely rewarded. Investigations are underway,” he said.
