ABUJA, 23 October 2020, (TON): In a short televised speech on Thursday, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari spoke to the nation about the unrest that has gripped the country in recent days without making any mention of the deadly shooting, ‘ Lekki Shootings’ of peaceful protesters that prompted international outrage.

He called on Nigeria youths “to discontinue the street protests and constructively engage the government in finding solutions. Your voice has been heard loud and clear and we are responding”.

Meanwhile, soldiers patrolled the streets of the city on Thursday a day after several buildings – including police stations, a TV channel and the port – were torched. Witnesses say it is Nigeria’s biggest wave of unrest since the end of military rule in 1999. Lagos governor Sanwo-Olu said footage of Tuesday’s shooting from CCTV cameras near the scene would be studied by investigators and would be released to the public. The foreign pressure and interference in the internal affairs seems an indicator for preparing a regime change. 

Official statement emitting from Washington condemned excessive use of force by the Nigerian military for firing on unarmed demonstrators. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement,  “The United States strongly condemns the use of excessive force by military forces that fired on unarmed demonstrators in Lagos, causing death and injury.  We welcome an immediate investigation into any use of excessive force by members of the security forces”.  The statement added , “The right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are essential human rights and core democratic principles”.  

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who is pastor of a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) said his “heart goes out” to the victims of Tuesday’s shooting, “The pain of these terrible events is palpable in our towns and cities, and some losses are irreplaceable, but we can and will get justice for all of them.”