Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy has called out Atiku Abubakar after the former Vice President warned the security agencies against the use of force on protesters across the country.

According to Onanuga, Atiku's caution should go to the looting mob in Kano, Plateau, and Jigawa states, who hijacked what was advertised by organizers as a peaceful protest.

He made this known in a statement on Tuesday, August 6 describing Atiku's tweet as "absurd".

Onanuga maintained that the security forces have remained professional and restrained themselves in the face of extreme provocation by the rioters. He said he was surprised Alhaji Atiku was still relying on Section 40 of our constitution (as amended) to justify a protest that is now clearly a riot, a rampage in some parts of the country.

According to him, Section 45 of the constitution says the right of assembly and the right of freedom of expression are not absolute, adding that they can be abridged and fettered in the interest of public peace, public safety, law, and order,” said the Presidential aide.

“They, however, reinforced their constitutional duty, today, when they said they cannot sit idly by and watch hoodlums destroy the country and its democracy.

“The Service Chiefs and the officers and men of our security outfits should be commended for their patriotic duty to our country.

“As a supporter and enabler of the destructive ‘protests,’ Alhaji Atiku certainly wants the sinister protest to continue in spite of the red signals from the streets,” said Onanuga.

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…

— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) August 6, 2024