An International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda said her office has received information alleging crimes in the #EndSARS protest in Nigeria.
Bensouda made this known in a statement on Thursday, stressing that they have been closely following the events around the current protests in the country.
This is even as the U.S. State Department on Thursday condemned “excessive force” by Nigerian military forces on unarmed civilians and called for restraint.
“We welcome an immediate investigation into any use of excessive force by members of the security forces. Those involved should be held to account in accordance with Nigerian law,” U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.
However, the ICC prosecutor said in a statement that: “My Office has been closely following the events around the current protests in Nigeria and the reaction of Nigeria’s law enforcement and security agencies. Any loss of life and injury is concerning.
“We have received information alleging crimes and are keeping a close eye on developments, in case violence escalates and any indications arise that Rome Statute crimes may have been committed. I call for calm and restraint”.
Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday revealed that he has been unable to reach President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss the shooting of the peaceful protesters at the Lekki toll gate.
Sanwo-Olu who made the revelation during a live interview session on Arise TV said, “I made calls to the President twice yesterday, I was firstly told he wasn’t in office and the second time I called, he was said to be at the FEC meeting; I haven’t spoke to him directly but I have reached the Chief of Staff to the President. ”
