Killers of Protesters Must Be Held Accountable – US Sec Of State

The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has urged the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to ensure the killers of protesters are brought to justice and held accountable for their crime.

Blinken stated this during a joint press briefing with his Nigerian counterpart, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema, on Thursday.

He added that with the release of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on EndSARS, the Nigerian government must now ensure accountability and address the grievances of the victims and their families.

According to him, both Nigeria and the US will be working closely to provide succour to the people most affected by conflict and violence in the country, particularly in the Northeast, where the US is providing vital humanitarian aid to approximately 2.2 million internally displaced Nigerians.

Blinken who met President Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo explained the key areas both parties held mutual discussion which revolved around importance of a comprehensive approach that builds effective security forces, addresses the underlying drivers of extremism, and respects Nigerians’ basic human rights.

“The United States is committed to helping Nigeria do that by continuing to invest in our security partnership, and the institutions that strengthen the rule of law, and that hold accountable those who commit human rights abuses, corruption and other acts that harm the Nigerian people,” he said.

While speaking extensively on human right abuses under the Buhari government, he welcomed the conclusion of the investigation by the independent inquiry established by the Lagos State Government to look into the events that took place at the Lekki Tollgate in Lagos, in October 2020 during the #EndSARS protest, including the killings and other alleged abuses by the security forces.

He said, “We anticipate and look to the state and the federal government’s response to the findings, and expect those to include steps that ensure accountability and address the grievances of the victims and their families.

“We’re also working closely with Nigeria to help the populations most affected by conflict and violence in the country, particularly in the North-East, where the United States is providing vital humanitarian aid to approximately 2.2 million internally displaced Nigerians. The United States continues to build the capacity.”

Speaking on COVID19, the Sec of State said, “First of all, working together to beat back COVID-19 and to build back better as we address the devastating impact that it’s had on all of us on our communities and on our economies.

On what doses of vaccines had been delivered by the US to Nigeria, he said,7.6 million doses of safe effective vaccines had been delivered to Nigeria, and another batch would be sent by the end of the year.

According to him, the donation is with no strings attached as the US is providing significant aid to save lives.

“From the more than 150 testing labs that we have to set up nationwide to help tackle the food security crisis that was worsened by the pandemic.

“We have teamed up for a long time to confront epidemics to improve public health. In that sense, this is not new.”

Blinken added that the US and others worked with Nigeria toward eliminating the wild polio virus, supporting vaccination campaigns at surveillance to detect and isolate cases.

That collaboration, he said, was key to the country being certified free of the virus in August of 2020.

“That’s a huge achievement. Reckon assistance is helping to bring treatment to more than one and a half million people in Nigeria living with HIV/AIDS, and we’re on track for epidemic control by 2023,” he said.

He added that, “Our support for primary health care hubs provides vital services to more than 60 million Nigerians.

“These other efforts have helped create a robust infrastructure for Nigeria’s COVID-19 response and broader efforts to strengthen public health security, which are essential to detect and prevent the next pandemic.

“Second, we’re working with Nigeria to build back better from the pandemic by fostering inclusive sustainable economic growth. That’s the goal of the 2 billion.”

His Nigerian counterpart said that the Buhari regime has been totally transparent and is mindful of human rights issues which is why it set up the panels in the first place.

“Of course we know that Lagos has come up with its Judicial Panel report. I think one thing that needs to be clear is that the government has been totally transparent, having the courage to set up these panels of inquiries and to make it transparent and totally open. We’ll continue to do so.”