Paul Ibe, media aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has tackled a presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, over his reaction to Atiku’s statement on alleged killing of a protester by the military.
He said that the recent admission by the military to “mistakenly” killing a 16-year-old boy in Zaria, Kaduna State, was exactly what the former Vice President had alluded to in his statement.
DAILY POST reported that Atiku cautioned the military authorities over the use of lethal force against peaceful civilian protesters.
Atiku said those who authorise such action against peaceful civilian protesters would be held responsible for committing crimes against humanity, even in the years following their retirement from service.
However, Onanuga faulted the former Vice President for warning security agencies against using lethal force against looters and arsonists.
He went on to allege that Atiku wants the protest to continue in spite of what he described as red signals from the streets.
Responding in a post on his X handle on Wednesday, Ibe told Onanuga that Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief, knows that even in war there are rules of engagement.
He said: “Following @atiku’s stern warning to service chiefs and military commanders not to shoot at protesting Nigerian citizens else they face crimes against humanity, the @HQNigerianArmy has admitted to “mistakenly” killing a 16-year-old boy in Zaria, Kaduna State.
“The culprit soldier, we are told, has been arrested. That’s accountability.
“This was exactly what the former Vice President had alluded to, that even those who give the orders for such extrajudicial executions will be held accountable under international laws.
“As Commander-in-Chief, @officialABAT knows that even in war, there are rules of engagement. So, @aonanuga1956, there was really no need for you to have been foaming in the mouth.”
Alleged killing of protester: Atiku’s aide tackles Onanuga over reaction to Ex-VP’s statement