Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the use of live ammunition by security operatives on participants in the 10-day hunger protests declared by Nigerian civil society organisations, starting from Thursday, August 1.
Describing the act as heinous and unacceptable in a democratic setting, the former Vice President who was also the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 25, 2023 presidential election, appealed to the international community, including the United Nations and the International Criminal Court, to closely monitor the situation in Nigeria and hold its leadership and security apparatus accountable.
According to Atiku, the killing of protesters by security men reminds of the dark days of military dictatorship, warning that when security men open fire on innocent protesters, they only “exacerbate tensions, transforming peaceful demonstrations into chaos.”
In a statement he issued late Saturday night (last night, August 3), the Waziri Adamawa said: “I vehemently condemn the heinous act of using live ammunition on citizens peacefully protesting against bad governance, as witnessed today in Kano and Abuja. This is utterly intolerable and reminiscent of the dark days of military dictatorship.
“It is crucial to remind the government and security agencies of their paramount duty to ensure a safe and secure environment where citizens can exercise their right to protest without fear.
“When security forces open fire on innocent protesters, they do nothing but exacerbate tensions, transforming peaceful demonstrations into chaos. I refuse to believe that inciting violence is the intention of our authorities.
“I urge the international community, including the United Nations and the International Criminal Court, to closely monitor the situation in Nigeria and hold its leadership and security apparatus accountable.
“I reaffirm my counsel to protesters to steadfastly exercise their right to peaceful protest and reject any form of violence.
“Those engaging in looting and the destruction of public and private property must be isolated and prosecuted according to the law. By indulging in such acts, they undermine the legitimate protests and play into the hands of those who oppose their right to protest.
“President Tinubu must demonstrate true leadership by immediately addressing and implementing the demands of the Nigerian people.”
