The Democratic Presidential candidate in the upcoming United States election, Joe Biden, has called on the President of Nigeria, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.); and the military to stop the violent crackdown on protesters which has led to several deaths.

The former American Vice-President said this in a statement titled, ‘Violence in Nigeria – Statement by Vice President Joe Biden’ on Wednesday.

Biden said the United States must stand with Nigerians who are peacefully demonstrating for police reform and seeking an end to corruption.

The statement read, “I urge President Buhari and the Nigerian military to cease the violent crackdown on protesters in Nigeria, which has already resulted in several deaths. My heart goes out to all those who have lost a loved one in the violence.

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“The United States must stand with Nigerians who are peacefully demonstrating for police reform and seeking an end to corruption in their democracy. I encourage the government to engage in a good-faith dialogue with civil society to address these long-standing grievances and work together for a more just and inclusive Nigeria.”

Thousands of youths have in the last two weeks been protesting against police harassment and extrajudicial killings.

On Tuesday, however, after hoodlums had hijacked the demonstrations, Lagos, which is the epicentre of the protests, put in place a 24-hour curfew while soldiers moved in to disperse protesters at the Lekki toll gates.

Eyewitnesses claim at least seven people were killed in the attack but the state government claims the figures were exaggerated.

On Wednesday, several irate youths took to the streets to burn down government facilities and some private establishments.