Anambra govt says US embassy visiting team bypassed state security architecture

The Anambra State Government has condemned the attack on the staff of the US Embassy by gunmen and alleged that the US consulate visiting team bypassed the existing security architecture in the state.

This was contained in a statement by Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s spokesperson, Christian Aburime, on Wednesday.

The Guardian reports that two convoys of US Embassy staff and two police officers were ambushed and shot dead on Tuesday in the Amiyi and Eke Ochuche communities of Ogbaru Local Government Area. The gunmen also kidnapped three individuals—two other police officers and a driver—during the attack.

Aburime said Governor Soludo expressed his deep condolences to the bereaved families and organisations, particularly the US Embassy, over the deaths of its staff and policemen.

He stated that the incident in a remote riverine community in Ogbaru local government serves as a reminder that patches of criminal gangs can still unleash senseless and murderous acts.

Aburime also claimed that the US consulate bypassed the existing security architecture in the state by providing its own security arrangements.

He added that the state government was not aware of the consulate’s humanitarian mission in the state and noted that correcting such lapses and ensuring better coordination will help prevent such avoidable incidents in the future.

“As the investigation continues, it is important to highlight an important preliminary take away from the facts so far. It is evident from reports by the various security agencies in the state that the visiting team made their own security arrangements and totally bypassed the existing security architecture in the state, and the state government was not aware of the “humanitarian mission” of the visiting team,” Aburime stated.

“In a place like parts of Ogbaru where security forces have been fighting the criminals and oil bunkers, the sight of a few policemen can indeed attract vengeance from the criminal gangs. Correcting such lapses and ensuring better coordination will help prevent such avoidable incidents in the future. Together, we will prevail over those who seek to disrupt the peace and stability of our society.”

Aburime said investigations into the incident are underway, adding that the state government will collaborate with security agencies to track down and prosecute the criminals, regardless of the attackers’ identity or motivation.

He added that investigations into the incident are underway and urged anyone with information on the identity or whereabouts of the criminals to offer it to the state-secured security phone numbers or to any of the security agencies, noting that such an informant would be handsomely rewarded.

The state government, however, assures residents and visitors of its continued commitment to law and order.