* A convoy of US embassy staff faced gunfire as it travelled through the state of Anambra in Nigeria, pictured here in February 24 [File: Mosa’ab Elshamy/AP Photo
A convoy of United States embassy staff has come under fire in southeast Nigeria, leaving two employees and two police officers dead.
Gunmen also kidnapped three individuals — a driver and two other police officers — during the attack on Tuesday near the town of Atani in
Gunmen in Nigeria seize eight students in latest abduction
A rescue and recovery effort remains under way, according to a police spokesperson in Anambra, Ikenga Tochukwu.
“The hoodlums murdered two of the Police Mobile Force operatives and two staff of the Consulate, and set their bodies ablaze and their vehicles,” Ikenga said, noting that the area was known for separatist violence.
He also expressed regret that the convoy chose to “enter the state without recourse to the police in the area or any security agency”. Law enforcement, he said, arrived only after the attackers escaped.
US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby briefly addressed the incident at a White House press briefing on Tuesday, affirming “it does look like a US convoy vehicle was attacked”.
“What I can tell you is that no US citizens were involved, and therefore there were no US citizens hurt,” Kirby said. He indicated that the US was aware of the casualties, though.
* John Kirby speaks at the White House press briefing on May 16 [Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters]
The US Department of State later issued a statement saying its diplomatic staff were “working with Nigerian security services to investigate”.
“The security of our personnel is always paramount, and we take extensive precautions when organising trips to the field,” the State Department said.
The attack took place along a major roadway at about 3:30pm local time (14:30 GMT). Police in Anambra have indicated they believe separatists are responsible for the attack as part of an escalating campaign of violence.
Culled from: Al Jazeera
The desperation by "parties unknown" to confirm IPOB and other separatists as terrorists has been noted several times. But the fact that they're still not letting up means the covert cold war is still a priority for them
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