The government of the United States has criticized the killing of civilians in Northern region of Nigeria and called on President Muhammadu Buhari to be firm in securing lives and property. The US government made a call for perpetrators to be held accountable.
This comes in the wake of renewed attacks by Boko Haram insurgents and bandits in Borno, Southern Kaduna, Katsina, Taraba, Niger, Plateau, Yobe and Sokoto state.
The State Department, US in an address on Tuesday, asked Buhari’s government to safeguard civilians and hold those responsible accountable.
It reads, “We condemn the recent senseless and brazen killings of civilians in Northern Nigeria.
“In recent weeks, suspected ISIS West Africa militants launched multiple attacks in Borno State, killing more than 120 civilians including women, children, and the elderly. On June 9, unidentified armed bandits attacked a village in Katsina State, killing dozens.
“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 inter-communal violence in Taraba State.
“Tens of thousands of civilians have lost their lives in Nigeria in recent years to violent attacks by terrorist groups or criminal gangs in inter-communal violence or due to their religious beliefs.
“The United States calls on the Government of Nigeria to do more to strengthen ongoing efforts to address this violence, hold those responsible accountable and protect civilians.”
Source: Sahara Reporters