The United States weighed in strongly on Thursday on the #EndSARS crisis in Nigeria saying that nothing short of the truth revealed through a thorough investigation can assuage the world over Tuesday’s shooting of protesters at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos.
The government said in a statement by Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, that it strongly condemned the use of excessive force by the military authorities against unarmed demonstrators and asked the Federal Government to hold those responsible for the incident accountable.
Stressing that the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression were essential human rights and core democratic principle, they asked the security services to show maximum restraint and respect fundamental rights, while urging the demonstrators to remain peaceful.
The statement entitled, “Ongoing protests in Nigeria,” read in part: “We welcome an immediate investigation into any use of excessive force by members of the security forces. Those involved should be held to account in accordance with Nigerian law.
“The right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are essential human rights and core democratic principles.
“We call on the security services to show maximum restraint and respect fundamental rights and for demonstrators to remain peaceful. We extend our condolences to the victims of the violence and their families.”