Biden urges Nigeria to cease crackdown on protests

The US presidential candidate Joe Biden has urged Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, and the Nigerian military to cease ‘violent crackdown on protesters’.

A number of people protesting against police brutality were on Tuesday night reportedly shot dead or injured in the country’s biggest city, Lagos.

The military has denied shooting at protesters although the Lagos state government has said at least 28 people were injured.

Mr Biden said in a statement that his heart goes out to all those who have lost a loved one in the violence adding that the US must stand with Nigerians who are peacefully demonstrating for police reform and seeking an end to corruption in their democracy. He called for dialogue between the government and the civil society to address these long-standing grievances and work together for a more just and inclusive society.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian military has dismissed media reports that its soldiers opened fire on protesters in the commercial hub of Lagos.

Lagos state government has confirmed that at least 28 people were injured in the Tuesday night chaos.

Amnesty International said several protesters were killed in the shooting.

Social media users have been sharing videos showing gunshots ringing at the protest site long into the night.

A witness told the BBC he counted 20 dead bodies and saw dozens of injured people.

There are unconfirmed reports that surveillance cameras and lights were disabled at a toll gate near where the protests were taking place.

The shooting took place after a second day of violent unrest across Nigeria, following two weeks of protests against police brutality.

An indefinite 24-hour curfew is in force across Lagos and in other states.