Senior officials of the United States Government on Thursday met with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and expressed displeasure over the shooting of unarmed protesters at the Lekki toll plaza on Tuesday.

The US also demanded that the soldiers behind the shootings must be brought to book.

The Spokesperson for the State Department, Morgan Ortagus, 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 officials, according to the statement, raised concerns over the ongoing violence in Nigeria as well as human rights violations and human trafficking.

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.”

According to the statement, Osinbajo as well as the counselor noted that the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are essential human rights and core democratic principles.

“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.

The Nigerian Army had on Wednesday denied that soldiers were at the toll plaza despite video evidence showing soldiers shooting.

2mch:
They will still try to form stubborn. Not realizing that this generation is entirely different. If they don’t back down from their stupid moves they will blow this country up in flames.

sammyj:
Denial of this crime will not change anything except the people behind it are brought to book so as to serve as deterrent to others that may want to do it in the future. Nigeria is not a banana republic !!!!

ibedun:


You have a right to peaceful protest only. Anything else you’ll be cooked!

Any youth wey wan die make e come die!!!

Awol1:
Where are cows?

Come and see that US is supporting fake news o!

Something that is not soldiers that went there, they are saying it's soldiers.

US have joined IPOB.

Ndiala.

One by one, all enemies of truth shall be exposed and their stupidity, foolishness, foolery and bloodthirstiness shall be undressed for the world to see.

Sanwolu, Osinbajo, Amnesty International, UN, UK, and now US has acknowledged that soldiers shot at unarmed protesters but zombies must push agenda.

Lord Lugard may it never be well with your soul for this disaster you created.

bonaventure73:
The south wasted camels got what they deserve

ibedun:


Nonsense!!! Go and bring evidence!!!

bonaventure73:
The south wasted camels got what they deserve

bonaventure73:
The south wasted camels got what they deserve