The United States has called on the Nigerian government to do more to address the violence and killings in the country and hold those responsible to account
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, described the killings of civilians as “senseless and brazen”.
Tens of thousands have lost their lives in recent attacks by terror groups or criminal gangs in inter-communal violence and some for the religious beliefs.
It cited the multiple attacks in Borno State in the past two weeks in which an estimated 120 civilians were killed including women, children, and the elderly.
The statement also made reference to the June 9, attack in President Muhammadu Buhari’s home state of Katsina where so-called armed bandits killed dozens in a village.
The US government said the killings followed a pattern that has occurred repeatedly.
“These horrific crimes follow the shooting of a pastor and his pregnant wife on June 1 and the killing of an imam, local village head, and several civilians on June 5, in the course of intercommunal violence in Taraba State.”
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The statement suggested the Nigerian government was not doing enough to tame the killings.
“The United States called on the Government of Nigeria to do more to strengthen the ongoing efforts to address this violence, hold those responsible accountable, and protect civilians.”
The Nigerian government has yet to respond to the claims.
Editor: Ifeanyi Mark
