The United States has condemned Tuesday’s killing of unarmed #EndSARS protesters by yet to be identified soldiers.
Video footages showed men in military combat open fire on protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate, killing and injuring many.
Despite video evidence, the Nigerian Army Headquarters has however, denied involvement in the ugly incident.
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In a statement posted on the personal Twitter handle of Morgan Ortagus, spokesperson to the US Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, the US government noted that peaceful assembly and freedom of expression were essential human rights and core democratic principles, calling on security agencies and their personnel to respect such rights.
It said that those responsible for the killings should be held accountable under the law.
The United States extended its condolences to the victims of the violence in Lagos.
The tweet read: “Peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are essential human rights and core democratic principles. We extend our condolences to the victims of the violence in Lagos and we call on the Nigerian security services to respect these rights.
“The United States strongly condemns incidents of military forces firing on unarmed protestors in Lagos. Those involved should be held to account under the law. We extend our condolences to the victims of the violence and their families. #EndSARS.”