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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned service chiefs and military commanders of Nigeria’s armed forces on the use of lethal force against peaceful civilian protesters.
Atiku said those who authorise such against peaceful civilian protesters will be held responsible for committing crimes against humanity, even in the years following their retirement from service.
He maintained that 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.
In a post on his X handle on Tuesday, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the last general election stressed that the constitutional right to engage in protest is firmly established within the nation’s supreme law and reinforced by the judiciary.
Atiku said: “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.
“The constitutional right to engage in protest is firmly established within our supreme law and reinforced by the judiciary. 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.”
