Gunmen targeted a convoy of U.S. Embassy personnel in southeast Nigeria, resulting in the deaths of two local workers and two policemen. The attack occurred in Anambra State, an area known for separatist violence.
The assailants opened fire on the convoy along a major road in Ogbaru local government area, killing the victims and setting their bodies and vehicles ablaze.
A joint security team was dispatched to the scene, but the assailants had already fled with two police officers and a driver.
The U.S. State Department stated that no American citizens were present during the incident and that they are cooperating with Nigerian security agencies in the investigation.
The purpose of the convoy’s trip and its exact composition remain unknown. The attack in Atani town, located 60 kilometers from the state capital, highlights the ongoing concerns about the safety of residents and travelers amidst the escalating separatist violence in the region.
The separatist group, Indigenous People of Biafra, has been held responsible for the violence, as it continues to advocate for the region’s independence.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has rejected the calls for a referendum, emphasizing the non-negotiable unity of the country.
