The recent attack on the convoy of U.S. Mission staff in Anambra state, Nigeria, has been strongly condemned by the United States government.
The assailants, who remain unidentified, targeted the convoy consisting of two U.S. government vehicles.
The convoy included a total of nine individuals: five employees from the U.S. Mission to Nigeria and four members of the Nigeria Police Force. They were en route to a U.S.-funded flood response project in Anambra when the attack occurred.
Antony Blinken, the United States Secretary of State, expressed his condemnation of the attack in a statement. He emphasized that the U.S. government is committed to working closely with Nigerian law enforcement authorities to ensure that those responsible for the attack are brought to justice.
“We do not yet know the motive for the attack, but we have no indications at this time that it was targeted against our Mission.
“The assailants killed at least four members of the convoy, and U.S. Mission personnel are working urgently with Nigerian counterparts to ascertain the location and condition of the members of the convoy who are unaccounted for,” he said.
According to him, the United States has no greater priority than the safety and security of our personnel.
He said, “We express our heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed in the attack, and pledge to do everything possible to safely recover those who remain missing.
“We deeply value our relationship with our Locally Employed Staff and our partnership with Nigeria.
“The United States reaffirms its commitment to the people of Nigeria to assist in the fight against violence and insecurity.”