Top US officials have met with Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday, following the civil unrest in the country precipitated by shooting of peaceful protesters, especially in Lekki, Lagos on Tuesday.
This was revealed in a statement by the US Department of State’s Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus, who said the meeting was held in Abuja, Lagos.
“Counselor T. Ulrich Brechbühl met with Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo today (Thursday) 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 statement by Ortagus said. Read also: #LekkiMassacre: Buhari Is A Cruel Dictator And A Sociopathic Monster -Femi Fani-Kayode
As the US condemned the use of excessive force by military forces on the unarmed demonstrators in Lagos, Ortagus 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 and the Counselor noted that the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are essential human rights and core democratic principles, and both emphasized the importance of US and Nigerian collaboration on common goals of improving security cooperation and strengthening economic partnership to foster mutual prosperity.Photos Credit: Getty
Photos Credit: Getty
