The United States Government on Thursday condemned the use of excessive force on unarmed protesters at the Lekki toll gate plaza on Tuesday night by operatives of the Nigeria Army.
Senior officials of the US Government expressed their displeasure during a meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Morgan Ortagus, Spokesperson for the State Department, said in a statement that the officials were led by Counselor of the US State Department, Ulrich Brechbühl.
Others at the meeting include: Assistant Secretary Robert Destro and Assistant Secretary Denise Natali.
The US government also asked the federal government of Nigeria to fish out and prosecute the soldiers behind the shootings.
The statement read in part, “Counselor T. Ulrich Brechbühl met with Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo today in Abuja, Nigeria as part of a previously scheduled delegation, which included Assistant Secretary Robert Destro and Assistant Secretary Denise Natali, to raise US concerns about ongoing violence in Nigeria, human rights, religious freedom, and trafficking in persons, and to hear from senior Nigerian government officials how they are addressing those issues.
“The counselor expressed the US condemnation of the use of excessive force by military forces that fired on unarmed demonstrators in Lagos. He expressed condolences to the victims of these shootings and urged the government of Nigeria to abide by its commitment to hold those responsible accountable under the law.”
“Counselor Brechbühl and Vice President Osinbajo emphasised the importance of US and Nigerian collaboration on common goals of improving security cooperation and strengthening economic partnership to foster mutual prosperity,” the statement read.
