The Anambra State Police Command has revealed that the casualty fire in the ambush attack on a United States of America convoy in the state on May 16 has increased.
The spokesman of the Command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, made this known on Thursday in a statement he issued.
Ikegna said information about the incident was received by the Anambra State Police Command through an official of the US Consulate.
The command disclosed that through its preliminary investigation, it gathered that the officials of the USA Consulate were on a mission to assess the impact of erosion in Ogbaru Local Government Area.
The statement said the attack took place along Atani/Osamela Road in Ogbaru LGA by suspected members of the Eastern Security Network, the armed wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
It disclosed that upon arrival at the scene of the incident, the joint security team sighted and engaged the assailants in a shootout, but they escaped through a nearby forest.
Ikenga said the Command continued their search jointly with security forces comprising police tactical teams from the command and troops of the Nigerian Army as well as the Nigerian Navy.
The Police Public Relations Officer said they raided a camp in Ugwuaneocha community of Ogbaru LGA, which was suspected to be the hideout of the assailants, but discovered that it had been deserted.
However, he disclosed that two persons of interest have been arrested and they are currently assisting the police in their investigation.
The statement also revealed that the criminal camp has been razed down by the joint security team.
The Command listed the following persons as the fallen heroes of the US Consulate attack: Jefferson Obayuwane (a retired operative of the Department of State Services), Sunday Prince Ubong, Ekene Nweke, Hassan Etila, Avwuvie Kaye, Bukar A. Kabuiki (Policeman), Emmanuel Lukpata (Policeman), Friday Morgan (Policeman) and Adamu Andrew (Policeman).
The PPRO said the remains of the deceased persons have all been recovered and deposited in a morgue.
He said that the state police command and other security agencies are working round-the-clock in concert with the Government of Anambra State to find and rescue missing officials.
Ikenga urged members of the public to support its effort to get the identities and locations of the culprits through provision of quality information.
The Command’s Commissioner, Echeng Echeng, condoled with the families and friends of the deceased persons.
Echeng extended his condolence to the US Consulate over the tragic incident and assured that efforts would be deployed to track down the perpetrators of the heinous crimes and bring them to justice.