The UK government has finally responded to Chi Onwurah’s petition presented on behalf of the Nigerian Association, Tyne and Wear. This calls on the UK to condemn the Nigerian military for its violent reaction towards protesters in Lagos. It asks the government to impose sanctions on those guilty of corruption.
The government has stopped short of condemnation. It is waiting for a judicial investigation into an incident in October 2020 which allegedly left 69 dead when the military opened fire on protestors.
James Duddridge, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, wrote:
“Alongside international and civil society partners, we will continue to push the Nigerian police to uphold human rights and the rule of law in all operations, investigate any incidents of brutality and hold those responsible to account.”
Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle Central said:
“ I am glad that we have finally had a response from the government on this, nearly nine months later and that that there is an investigation into the violence and the SARS unit has been disbanded, but I and the Nigerian diaspora in the U.K. want to see tougher action from the UK government to show that further violence is not acceptable and to help clamp down on corruption.”
You can see the petition and government response here.
