Four dead as gunmen attack US convoy in Anambra

In southeast Nigeria, two embassy personnel and two police officers were killed when their convoy came under fire.

A driver and two other police officers were also taken hostage by gunmen during the incident on Tuesday near the town of Atani in Nigeria's Anambra State.

According to Ikenga Tochukwu, a police spokesperson in Anambra, a rescue and recovery attempt is still in progress.

“The hoodlums murdered two of the Police Mobile Force operatives and two staff of the Consulate, and set their bodies ablaze and their vehicles,” Ikenga said, noting that the area was known for separatist violence.

Also regrettable, he said, was the convoy's decision to "enter the state without recourse to the local police or any security agency." He claimed that law enforcement only showed up after the assailants had fled.

“What I can tell you is that no US citizens were involved, and therefore there were no US citizens hurt,” Kirby said. He indicated that the US was aware of the casualties, though.

The US Department of State later issued a statement saying its diplomatic staff were “working with Nigerian security services to investigate”.

“The security of our personnel is always paramount, and we take extensive precautions when organising trips to the field,” the State Department said.

At around 3:30 pm local time (14:30 GMT), the attack happened alongside a busy street. According to police in Anambra, the attack was part of a violent uprising and was carried out by separatists.