TWO US embassy staff who were kidnapped in Nigeria on Tuesday have been rescued by a joint security team, according to police. The staff members were abducted on a major road in southeast Anambra State and were rescued early Friday without any injuries. Police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the successful operation.
‘In the early hours of Friday, May 19, 2023, the joint security forces rescued unhurt the two remaining victims abducted during the attack on a US convoy along Atani/Osamela road in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State,’ Ikenga stated.
Although specific details about the rescue operation were not provided, authorities are actively pursuing the attackers.
Further information regarding the operation and the apprehension of the suspects was not immediately available.
During the initial attack on Tuesday evening, the US embassy staff convoy was ambushed by gunmen
in Anambra State. The assailants killed four individuals, including two police escorts, and abducted two staff members.
John Kirby, spokesman for the US National
Security Council, confirmed the deaths during the attack and expressed the White House’s concern over the incident. The volatile southeast region of Nigeria has witnessed increased security challenges in recent times.
