United States Embassy officials have paid a courtesy visit to the Naval Base in Onitsha, Anambra State as a follow-up to the incident of attack on the US convoy in Ogbaru on May 16, 2023, while commending the naval personnel for their role in rescuing the two missing officials of the embassy in Ogbaru.
It could be recalled that a team of officials from the US Consulate and their police escorts were on Tuesday between 12:00 hours and 14:00 hours, ambushed along Atani/Osamela road in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State by suspected gunmen.
The delegation was said to have been led by the regional security officer, US Consulate in Lagos, Mr Jim Suor.
A source, who was privy to the visit said, “The US delegation paid a courtesy visit on the Commander of the base, Navy Captain G. Osuobeni on Saturday, May 20, 2023, to appreciate the efforts of the Nigeria Navy for their response to the distress call and rescue of the two kidnapped members of staff of the US Embassy.
“The head of the US team stated that the US Government is highly appreciative of the efforts of security agencies in Anambra State, particularly the efforts and support of the Nigerian Navy.”
Anambra attack: US embassy confirms rescue of two employees
The United States Embassy on Friday, in Abuja, has confirmed that two of its employees, involved in the Anambra convoy attack, have been successfully rescued.
In a statement released on Friday in Abuja, the embassy said that two employees involved in the Anambra convoy attack have been rescued and are now safe under the protection of Nigerian authorities in Anambra, while stating that the US government is working hard to bring the attackers to justice.
The Informant247 recalls that suspected gunmen on May 16, attacked a US convoy in Atani, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra while the team was on a mission, killing and abducting some of those in the vehicle.
The US embassy statement reads in part, “We have informed their families of their safe recovery. US Mission personnel are on their way to meet and accompany them home.
“We continue to work intensively with the 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.”