…By Lola Smith for TDPel Media.
Nigerian security forces have successfully rescued the kidnapped US consulate workers who were ambushed in the south of the country, according to police reports on Friday, May 19, 2023.
The assailants opened fire on the two-car convoy, killing three consulate staff and four police guards, before abducting two other staffers in southeast Anambra state.
Unhurt Victims Rescued in Joint Security Operation
In a statement, Anambra state police announced that the joint security forces conducted a successful operation in the early hours of the day and rescued the two remaining victims who were abducted during the attack on the US convoy.
They further stated that operations are still ongoing to address the situation.
Suspected Involvement of Separatist Group and Criminal Gangs
Authorities suspect that the gunmen responsible for the attack belong to the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a separatist group known for its agitation against the ethnic Igbo people.
However, criminal gangs involved in kidnapping-for-ransom activities also operate in various parts of Nigeria.
Attack Not Specifically Targeted at US Consulate or Staff
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed that no US citizens were involved in the attack, and there were no indications that the assailants specifically targeted the US consulate or its staff.
The US consulate in Lagos has yet to provide a comment on the incident.
Arrests Made and Ongoing Efforts to Apprehend Attackers
Police have announced the arrest of two suspects linked to the convoy attack.
Security forces engaged in a gun battle with the attackers, who managed to escape into nearby forests.
Subsequent raids on suspected separatist camps yielded no results as the locations were found abandoned.
Persistent Separatist Activity in Southeast Nigeria
IPOB has faced accusations of targeting police patrols and carrying out attacks on security officers in southeast Nigeria.
However, the group consistently denies any involvement in violent activities.
The issue of separatism remains sensitive in Nigeria, particularly due to the history of the three-year civil war sparked by the declaration of an independent Republic of Biafra in 1967 by Igbo army officers.
Southeast Separatist Activity and Recent Escalation of Attacks
Despite the civil war’s end, separatist groups continue to operate in Nigeria’s southeast region, with a notable increase in attacks in recent years, often targeting police or government buildings.