The United States in a press statement by the Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo has sent a strong message to the government of Nigeria to hold and bring those responsible for these crimes to book.
But, knowing the culture of impunity in Nigeria and the complicit attitude of the present administration, nothing will be done and it would be business as usual while more lives are lost in these senseless mass murders.
The press statement is below
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 intercommunal 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.
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