Police accuse IPOB of killing US Consulate staff, 4 inspectors in Anambra

The police have accused the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN), of being behind the Tuesday abduction and killing of United States Consulate staff in Anambra State.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Echeng

Echeng, who disclosed this yesterday at a press briefing at the police headquarters in Awka, said five male officials of the consulate and four armed mobile policemen that escorted them from Lagos were involved.

He said a joint security team, including the army and navy, raided a camp in Ugwuaneocha community of Ogbaru LGA, which was suspected to be the hideout of the assailants, but discovered that it had been deserted.

“Two persons of interest were arrested and they are currently assisting the police in the investigation. The criminal camp was razed down by the joint security team,” he said.

Echeng said that they were on a mission to assess the impact of erosion in Ogbaru LGA when the convoy of two vehicles they were travelling in suddenly came under attack by armed men who targeted them with gunfire and set their vehicles ablaze.

“Regrettably, seven persons (including three of the consulate officials and four Mobile Police escorts) were murdered during the attack while two other officials of the consulate are yet to be found,” the CP said.

He listed the consulate staff as Jefferson Obayuwane, Sunday Prince Ubong, Ekene Nweke, Hassan Etila and Avwuvie Kaye Monday but

did not reveal the identities of those killed among them.

He gave the names of the deceased police officers as Inspectors Bukar Adams, Friday Morgan, Adam Andrew and Emmanuel Lupata all from Squadron 23, Police Mobile Force, Lagos.

He said that the remains of the deceased persons had all been recovered and deposited in a morgue, adding that the command and other security agencies were working hard to rescue the missing officials.

He called on the public to help the police with information to arrest the culprits.