Counselor of the United States Department of States, Ulrich Brechbühl has offered his condolences to the victims of the shooting which occurred in Lagos recently.
Counselor Brechbühl gave his condolences when he met with the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja.
Brechbühl conveyed the regards of the Secretary of State and said that “Secretary Pompeo asked us to come as friends and partners of Nigeria to examine the drivers of insecurity across the country and to better understand conflict mitigation efforts already underway so that we can explore ways to enhance our cooperation.”
The Counselor acknowledged that his visit came during a tumultuous time for Nigeria and said the United States is deeply concerned by recent violence.
He said that the United States condemns the use of excessive force by the military when it fired on unarmed protestors in Lagos on Tuesday, and offered his deepest condolences to the victims of those shootings.
The Counselor reiterated the Vice-President’s call for those responsible to be held accountable under the law and said that the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are essential human rights and core democratic principles.
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 U.S. and Nigerian collaboration on common goals of improving security cooperation and strengthening economic partnership to foster mutual prosperity.
Among the delegation that met with the Vice president are; Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Bob Destro, and Assistant Secretary for Conflict and Stabilization Operations Denise Natali.