Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa Issue Joint Statement on Police Brutality in Nigeria

Senator Booker leads the subcommittee in issuing a joint statement

Washington D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tim Kaine (D-VA,) Chris Coons (D-DE) and Chris Murphy (D-CT), Democratic members of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, issued a joint statement calling for an immediate end to the violent crackdown on peaceful protestors in Nigeria.

“As members of the Subcommittee on Africa, we have been watching the recent developments in Nigeria with great concern, and call for an immediate end to the violent crackdown on peaceful protestors.  The escalation of violence in Lagos is unacceptable.  That security forces have used live ammunition against peaceful protestors demonstrating against police brutality is especially alarming.  We urge security forces to act with restraint and for Nigerian authorities to de-escalate the situation and hold perpetrators of violence to account.

“Nigeria is the most populous country and largest economy in Africa and is an important strategic partner of the United States. It is, therefore, disheartening to see a valuable diplomatic and security partner resorting to violence against its own civilians. We urge the government of Nigeria to consider the negative impact that recurrent violations of human rights and violence against protesters will have on the U.S.-Nigeria security partnership.

“Our hearts go out to the families who have lost loved ones, and we stand with those who protest police brutality and government corruption.”

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