The Nigerian Federal Government and the Presidential candidate of Labor Party (LP), Peter Obi, has condemned the “despicable” attack on the convoy of United States Consulate workers in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State by yet-to-be-identified gunmen on Tuesday.
The terror gang had murdered the four persons, including two Police Mobile Force (PMF) operatives and two staff of the U.S. Consulate and set their bodies and vehicles ablaze.
Police also said the “arsonist/murderers on sighting the responding joint security forces abducted two Police operatives.”
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omayuli, said in a statement on Wednesday that the Federal Government extends its sympathy and condolence to the families of the deceased as well as to the United States Consulate and Mission in Nigeria over the unfortunate incident.
The statement read: “The Federal Government received with dismay the sad news of the attack on the convoy of the staffers of the US Consulate on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in the Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State by yet-to-be-identified gunmen.
“The unfortunate incident, which led to the death of two policemen and two locally recruited staff of the Consulate is condemnable and most regrettable.
“While an investigation is ongoing to fish out the culprits and bring them to book, the Federal Government extends its sympathies and condolences to the families of the deceased as well as to the United States Consulate and Mission in Nigeria over the unfortunate incident.
“The Federal Government remains undaunted by this sad development and reiterates its commitment to the continued fight against all forms of crime and criminality in the country.”
Obi, in a series of tweets on Wednesday, commiserated with the deceased’ families, the United States Embassy and other charitable International agencies involved.
According to the LP Presidential flag bearer, “I just got the most reprehensible news of the attack and killing of some international humanitarian workers in Anambra state, which happened on Tuesday. This despicable act is highly condemnable.
“Nothing can be more deplorable than that somebody has to die while rendering a charity job for a people and a nation in need.
“The rising crime rate in our community and country is not unconnected with the frightening rising poverty level and unemployment of youths in our land which is a consequence of a prolonged leadership failure over the years.
“When youths in their product ages remain idle for a prolonged time the devil finds in them veritable tools to build workshops in. Our redemption remains a quick turnaround from consumption to production.”
He urged security agencies to put no stone unturned in ensuring that the perpetrators of the wicked and abominable acts are fished out and made to face the full wrath of the law.