Buhari, Soludo, Obi condemn killing of US Embassy staff, policemen in Anambra

President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State and the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr. Peter Obi Wednesday condemned the killing of two United States embassy officials and two Nigerian policemen accompanying them in an attack by gunmen in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.

“I was very sad hearing about the killing of the embassy staff and our policemen accompanying them. In this difficult time for the families of those killed, the American Embassy and the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, I extend the nation’s condolences over the very sad incident,” the President said.

Buhari has equally been briefed about the tragic killing of several persons in Bwoi District of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, as well that of several villagers in Adaka village in Makurdi Local Government and in Ijaha community of Apa Local Government Area of Benue State.
The President said he is deeply pained to learn about these gruesome deaths and expresses sincere condolences to the families of the victims.
“We share the grief of the American Embassy, the Nigeria Police Force and our communities in Plateau and Benue and remain committed to fishing out the perpetrators of the attacks and bringing them to justice. May God give their families the strength to bear the unfortunate losses,” the Presidency stated in a statement.

Soludo condemns unprovoked killing

Meanwhile, Governor, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo while condemning the murder in a statement said:
“On behalf of the government and great people of Anambra State, I express deep condolences to the bereaved families and organisations, particularly the US Embassy, over the death of their staff and policemen who were attacked by gunmen along Atani-Osamala Road, Ogbaru Local Government Area on Tuesday, 16th May 2023 while they were on a mission in Anambra State.

“We strongly condemn the heinous and unprovoked attack. Over the last one year, we have worked very hard with our gallant security forces to massively degrade criminality and restore law and order. We can proudly assert that Anambra is currently one of the safest states in Nigeria.
“In Anambra, 4 Killed.
Only two weeks ago, the dreaded and notorious criminal gang leader operating mostly in a neighboring state was gunned down with four of his team members when they made incursion into Anambra and recovered huge deadly weapons. The criminals are largely on the run or feeling the heat of our zero tolerance to criminality.
“This incident in a remote riverine community in Ogbaru local government is a reminder that patches of these criminal gangs can still unleash senseless and murderous acts.
Whatever the identity or motive of the attackers, Anambra State government will actively work with the security agencies to smoke out the criminals and bring them to justice.
“We call on anyone with information on the identity or whereabouts of the criminals to offer same on our secured security phone numbers or to any of the security agencies and such informant will be handsomely rewarded. Investigations are underway.
“We assure our residents and visitors of our continued commitment to law and order. If anything, this incident has emboldened our drive.
As the investigation continues, it is important to highlight an important preliminary takeaway 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.
“In a place like parts of Ogbaru where security forces have been fighting the criminals and oil bunkerers, the sight of 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.
The Government of Anambra State once again, expresses its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. We reassure the United States Embassy in Nigeria of our unwavering commitment to the safety and security of its officials in our State.

Obi condemns killing of humanitarian workers in Anambra

Similarly, Mr. Peter Obi, Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has condemned the attack and killing of some international humanitarian workers in Anambra state on Wednesday, May 17.
The former governor of Anambra state, who made this know through his Twitter handle @PeterObi noted that “the rising crime rate in our community and country is not unconnected with the frightening rising poverty level and unemployment of youths in the land which is a consequence of a prolonged leadership failure over the years.”
He also expressed his heartfelt sympathy to the families of the deceased, the United States Embassy and other charitable International agencies involved, noting that nothing can be more deplorable than that somebody has to die while rendering a charity job for a people and a nation in need.

Part of his Tweet read:
“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.
“When youths in their productive 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.
“I urge the appropriate security agencies to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the perpetrators of these wicked and abominable acts are fished out and made to face the wrath of the law.”

No American citizen affected in Anambra fatal attack, says US Govt
Meanwhile, the United States Government has said that no American citizen was affected in a Tuesday attack on its Consulate staff members’ convoy on Atani, Osamale Road in Anambra State, Nigeria.
The US National Security Council Spokesperson, John Kirby said, “I just got informed about a whole lot before coming out here to talk to you all. Just looks like a US convoy vehicle was attacked.
”What I can tell you is that no US citizens were involved and therefore there was no US citizens hurt. But we are aware of some casualties perhaps even some killed,” he said on his YouTube channel.
The spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, Tobechukwu Ikenga also said no US citizen was in the convoy though four persons were killed in the attack.
“The Joint Security Forces have embarked on a rescue/recovery operation in Ogbaru LGA, following an attack on a convoy of staff of U S Consulate today (yesterday) 16/5/2023 by 3:30 pm along Atani, Osamale Road,” he said in a statement.
“The hoodlums murdered two of the PMF operatives, and two staff of the Consulate, and set their bodies and vehicles ablaze. Also, the arsonists/murderers on sighting the responding joint security forces abducted two Police operatives, the driver of the second vehicle and took to their heels. No U.S citizen was in the convoy.”
The incident is the latest in a series of attacks in Anambra. In recent times, there have been targeted assaults on security and government facilities and high-profile people or organisations in the state.

Buhari ‘ineffectual Commander-in-Chief’, says Ezekwesili

In a related development, former Education minister Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, has described President Muhammadu Buhari as an ‘ineffectual Commander-in-Chief’
She also urged the outgoing President, who will be handing over to President-elect, Bola Tinubu, on May 29, to ‘swiftly’ hand over power to her.
Ezekwesili who served as Nigeria’s Minister of Education made the comments on Wednesday, in a tweet shared on her official Twitter handle (@obyezeks).
She made the now-viral tweet, following the outcry of the President’s supporters over his inability to secure the country and its citizens.
“Let’s ask the ineffectual Commander-in-Chief of the Nigeria Armed Forces @MBuhari to swiftly hand over power to me so I can satisfy his supporters cry on his ignoble failure to secure the country, citizens and residents of Nigeria. I welcome their vote of confidence in me. “I welcome their vote of confidence in me,” she tweeted.
She said demanding action on any governance issue from Buhari was expecting the impossible.
“Once I analytically surmised that demanding action on any governance issue from @MBuhari was equivalent to expecting the impossible, I stopped. We have a so-called Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces, who sorely degenerated the state of our country’s security. Ignoble legacy.” Ezekwesili added in another tweet.