US embassy convoy attacked in southeast Nigeria, resulting in four deaths

A convoy of United States embassy staff came under fire in southeast Nigeria, resulting in the tragic deaths of two employees and two police officers. The attack occurred near the town of Atani in Nigeria’s Anambra State.

During the assault on Tuesday, gunmen also kidnapped three individuals, including a driver and two other police officers. Efforts are underway to rescue and recover the kidnapped individuals, as confirmed by Ikenga Tochukwu, a police spokesperson in Anambra.

Ikenga expressed regret that the convoy entered the state without seeking the assistance of local police or security agencies. Law enforcement arrived at the scene after the attackers had already escaped. The area where the incident took place is known for separatist violence.

John Kirby, a spokesperson for the US National Security Council, briefly addressed the attack during a White House press briefing. He confirmed that a US convoy vehicle was targeted but clarified that no US citizens were involved or harmed. The US Department of State issued a statement asserting that they are collaborating with Nigerian security services to investigate the incident, emphasizing the paramount importance of personnel security.

The attack occurred around 3:30 pm local time along a major roadway. Authorities in Anambra suspect separatists are responsible for the escalating violence in the region. The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a separatist group advocating for the secession of the region from Nigeria, has often been associated with such attacks. In 2020, IPOB established the Eastern Security Network, a paramilitary organization purportedly aimed at safeguarding local farmers and residents. However, Nigerian police have accused them of carrying out violent acts.

IPOB has denied involvement in the attack, but tensions have risen since the arrest of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who had faced charges of treason and terrorism. Although an appellate court dropped the terrorism charges against Kanu, the issue of independence in southeast Nigeria remains contentious. In 1967, the Republic of Biafra declared independence, leading to a devastating civil war that claimed countless lives.

President Muhammadu Buhari has consistently rejected calls for a referendum, asserting the non-negotiability of Nigeria’s unity. He is scheduled to leave office at the end of this month, with President-elect Bola Tinubu set to succeed him.

The attack on the convoy follows an overnight assault in Plateau State on Monday, where village raids resulted in the deaths of approximately 30 people and the destruction of homes. The clashes stemmed from tensions between predominantly Muslim herders and Christian farmers in the region, according to Plateau State Commissioner of Information and Communication Dan Manjang.