#EndSARS Report: Government’s responses should address victims’ grievances – US Secretary of State Blinken

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the United States welcomes the conclusion of the independent panel of inquiry established by the Lagos State government to look into the events that took place at the Lekki Toll Gate in October, 2021.

Blinken stated this during a briefing at the State House in Abuja on Thursday, shortly after he met 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 further noted that the US is working with the Nigerian government to help those who are most affected by conflict and violence in the country, particularly in the Northeast.

He stated that the United States is providing vital humanitarian aid to approximately 2.2 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

Blinken’s statement comes shortly after President Muhammadu Buhari said the Federal Government will allow the system to exhaust itself, and will, therefore, wait for pronouncements from state governments that set up panels to probe police brutality in 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.”