2 US embassy staff kidnapped in Nigeria rescued: Police

By Olanrewaju Kola

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) - Two US embassy staff kidnapped in Nigeria on Tuesday have been rescued, police said Friday.

A police spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, said in a statement the US mission staff abducted on a major road in southeast Anambra State, were rescued early Friday unhurt by a joint security team.

“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 attack along Atani/Osamela road in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State," Ikenga said.

He did not give further details on the rescue operation but said the police are still on the trail of the attackers.

Anadolu was unable to immediately reach the police spokesman for further information on the operation and the efforts made in apprehending the suspects.

The convoy of US embassy staff was ambushed by gunmen in Anambra State on Tuesday evening. During the attack, four people, including two police escorts, were killed, and two staff members were abducted.

The victims were shot dead by gunmen during the ambush on a road in the country's volatile southeast region, said US National Security Council spokesman, John Kirby at the White House on Tuesday.