The United States, according to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, appreciates the conclusion of the independent panel of inquiry created by the Lagos State government to investigate the events that occurred at the Lekki Toll Gate in October 2021.
Blinken made the remarks during a press conference at the State House in Abuja on Thursday, shortly after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
He said, “This report is amidst the EndSARS protest including the killings and other alleged abuses by security forces.
“We anticipate and look to the state and federal governments’ response to the findings and expect these to include steps that show accountability and address the grievances of the victims and their families.”
The Secretary of State also stated that the United States is collaborating with the Nigerian government to assist people most affected by conflict and violence in the country, particularly in the Northeast.
Blinken’s declaration comes shortly after President Muhammadu Buhari stated that the Federal Government will let the system to exhaust itself and will thus await announcements from state governments that set up panels to investigate police brutality throughout the country.
“So many state governments are involved, and have given different terms of reference to the probe panels,” spokesman, Femi Adesina quoted the president as saying.
“We at the Federal have to wait for the steps taken by the states, and we have to allow the system to work. We can’t impose ideas on them. Federal Government has to wait for the reaction of the states.”
The President also thanked the United States for allowing Nigeria to purchase military equipment to combat terrorism in the country, as well as for training the Nigerian military.
“It’s helping us to stabilize the situation in the Northeast, and we’ve made a lot of progress since 2015,” he said. “We are doing a lot on security, and the people involved appreciate our efforts.”
