U.S. Democratic presidential candidate, Joe Biden, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to refrain from using force on peaceful protesters.

This comes after the massacre of protesters in Lekki, Lagos, with live ammunition by the Nigerian Army Tuesday night.

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

“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,” he added.

Biden joins Hillary Clinton and a number of notable figures worldwide using their platforms to condemn the brutality on protesters in the country. 

At least 52 people were believed to have been killed, including at least nine in Lagos, after Nigerian security forces and thugs unleashed violence against citizens protesting an end to police brutality.