By Adedapo Adesanya
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr Antonio Guterres, following recent developments in Nigeria, has called for an end to reported police brutality and abuses in the country.
Mr Guterres made the disclosure in a statement via Ms Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the Secretary-General on Wednesday.
He condemned the violent escalation of events of October 20 in Lagos which resulted in multiple deaths and caused many injuries.
He expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.
He also used the opportunity to call on the Nigerian authorities to investigate these incidents and hold the perpetrators accountable.
The Secretary-General urged the security forces to act at all times with maximum restraint while calling on protestors to demonstrate peacefully and to refrain from violence.
The Secretary-General also encouraged the authorities to swiftly explore avenues to de-escalate the situation.
He reiterated the readiness of the United Nations to support national efforts towards finding a solution as violence continues to erupt across the country.
Yesterday, some peaceful demonstrators at the Lekki area of Lagos State were shot by the Nigerian Army and this has received wide condemnations across the globe.
Modupe Gbadeyanka