*Confirms death of four Nigerians
Over 24 hours after the attack on two United States government vehicles by unknown assailants in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra state, Nigeria, the country said it was yet to understand the motives behind the attack.
The convoy was carrying nine Nigerian nationals, five of which were 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 when they were attacked.
The statement signed Wednesday by the U.S Secretary of State, Anthony J. Blinken and issued by the country’s embassy in Nigeria, confirmed that the assailants killed at least, four members of the convoy.
@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 U.S. Mission however assured that their personnel were 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”, the statement read.
