A United States delegation has met with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Aso Villa on Thursday over violence that trailed the #EndSARS protests across Nigeria.
The delegation led by Counselor T. Ulrich Brechbühl condemned the role of the military at the Lekki toll gate and the destruction that followed their actions.
A statement by spokesperson Morgan Ortagus noted that Counselor Brechbühl was joined by Assistant Secretary Robert Destro and Assistant Secretary Denise Natali.
The statement explained that the delegation raised 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 who 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.
The Vice President and 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 emphasized the importance of US and Nigerian collaboration on common goals of improving security cooperation and strengthening economic partnership to foster mutual prosperity.
