Atiku attacked military commanders, condemns use of lethal forces against peaceful civilians protesters
Abuja, EPICSTORIAN – The PDP 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, said Military commanders of the armed forces who authorised use of lethal force against civilian protesters will be held accountable for with crimes against humanity in the future.
Atiku Noted that there exists constitutional guidelines for handling public protests, which prohibit extreme use of force against protesters or a lobbying group.
According to the former presidential candidate, the defined “constitutional right to engage in protest” ,as sufficiently found within the Nigerian supreme law, is “reinforced by the judiciary”.
“I wish to convey a stern caution to the distinguished service chiefs and military commanders of Nigeria’s armed forces that those who authorise the use of lethal force against peaceful civilian protesters will be held responsible for committing crimes against humanity, even in the years following their retirement from service,” he said.
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“The constitutional right to engage in protest is firmly established within our supreme law and reinforced by the judiciary.
Military commanders uninformed about their responsibility to sensitise security agencies on the citizen’s right to peaceful protest.
Atiku blamed the Nigeria’s military chiefs, and the government in part, for their ineptitude toward making the environment safe for peaceful protests, a quality he found lacking among men of national duty in such high-profile positions for which they are respected by the citizens.
“It is the solemn duty of the government and security agencies to ensure a safe and protected environment for individuals exercising their right to peaceful protest. -AA”
