United States condemns use of excessive military force in Nigeria

The United States has strongly condemned the use of excessive force by military forces who fired on unarmed demonstrators in Lagos, causing death and injury. 

The U.S calls for an immediate investigation into any use of excessive force by members of the security forces.  Those involved should be held to account in accordance with Nigerian law.

The right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are essential human rights and core democratic principles. 

“We call on the security services to show maximum restraint and respect fundamental rights and for demonstrators to remain peaceful.  We extend our condolences to the victims of the violence and their families”. Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

Source: State department

U.S announces $5M bounty on Venezuelan national for organized crime

The U.S. Department of State has announced a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Venezuelan national Samark Jose Lopez Bello for participating in transnational organized crime.

This offer is made in connection with the announcements of reward offers up to $10 million for former Venezuelan Vice President Tareck Zaidan El-Aissami Maddah on March 26, 2020 and up to $5 million for National Superintendent of Cryptocurrencies in the Maduro regime Joselit de la Trinidad Ramirez Camacho on June 1, 2020.  

Lopez Bello worked with others in an effort to violate and evade OFAC sanctions imposed pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act and related regulations.  He was charged by indictment, along with El-Aissami and Ramirez, in the Southern District of New York with several transnational crimes.

The reward offer is made under the Department of State’s Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program (TOCRP).  Together with the Narcotics Rewards Program, more than 75 major narcotics traffickers have been brought to justice since these programs began in 1986.  The Department of State has paid more than $130 million in rewards for information leading to those apprehensions.

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs manages these rewards programs in close coordination with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and other U.S. agencies.  These actions demonstrate the State Department’s commitment to support law enforcement efforts and a whole of government approach to combatting transnational organized crime.

 For more information on the individuals listed above and the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program,

VISIT LINK HERE

source: state dept