The United States has raised concern over the recent killing of Shia Muslim protestors following a clash with security personnel.
Through the US Embassy in Nigeria, the US has called for speedy and thorough investigations into the deaths.
Through a post on its official Twitter account, the Embassy wants those found culpable to be taken action against “for violations of Nigerian law.”
“The United States Embassy is concerned by the deaths resulting from clashes between Nigerian security forces and members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria in areas surrounding Abuja,” reads the twitter post.
We urge Government of Nigeria authorities to conduct a thorough investigation of the events and to take appropriate action to hold accountable those responsible for violations of Nigerian law.
— U.S. Mission Nigeria (@USinNigeria) November 1, 2018
On Wednesday, members of the Islamic Movement in Abuja claimed that security forces had killed 42 of its members during two days of violent crackdowns on protests in the city.
President Muhammadu Buhari has in the past accused the Shi’ites of creating “a state within a state”, though he said at the time that civilian deaths could not be justified.
