SAN FRANCISCO, October 20, (THEWILL) – Odion Ighalo, striker of Nigerian origin who plays for English Premier League side Manchester United, has labelled the Nigeria’s government “killers” after security forces and soldiers reportedly opened fire on protestors in Nigeria’s most populous city Lagos late on Tuesday.
Recently, there have been ongoing protests in Nigeria against police brutality and persistent calls to end the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) police unit, which has been accused of killings, torture and extortion. These protests have been largely peaceful.
However, when some hoodlums and miscreants seized the opportunity of the protests to create mayhem, causing injury to protesters, destroying property and torching police stations, a 24-hour curfew was imposed on Tuesday.
Some protestors still took to the streets before fleeing as live rounds where shot towards the crowd.
The former Nigeria international player Ighalo responded to the violence after United’s 2-1 Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes.
In a passionate video message shared on social media, the striker bared his emotions.
“I’m sad and I don’t know where to start from.
“I’m not the kind of guy who talks about politics – but I can’t keep quiet anymore about what is going on back home in Nigeria.
“I would say [the] government are a shame to the world – for killing your own citizens, sending military to the streets, to kill [unarmed] protesters because they are protesting for their rights. It’s uncalled for.
“Today, 20th of October 2020, you people will be remembered in the history as the first government to send military to the city to start killing their own citizens.
“I am ashamed of this government. I am tired of you guys. I can’t take this anymore. I’m calling the UK government, calling all those leaders in the world to please see what is going on in Nigeria and help us – help the poor citizens.
“The government are killing their own citizens. We are calling [the world’s governments], the United Nations, to see to the matter.
“I want to tell my brothers and sisters back home to remain safe. Be indoors, please don’t come [outside]. Because this government are killers and they will keep killing if the world does not talk about this. God bless you all. Remain safe. One Nigeria.”
British-Nigerian boxing star Anthony Joshua also added his voice to the fight for change amid the unrest. The WBA, IBF and IBO heavyweight champion was born to a Nigerian mother and father of Nigerian ancestry.
He tweeted: “The situation has escalated, the violence and killings are horrendous. All because of people saying they want to live in peace?
“I pray God opens the gates for the heroes of Nigeria! This was never a trend for me! It’s real life and I want to learn how to make lasting change.
“I’m looking at hospitals to support, along with food and care packages in the time being.”
THEWILL can report that eyewitnesses say security forces waited for the cover of darkness before they opened fire on unarmed protesters at the Lekki toll-gate. There are as yet unconfirmed reports of casualties.
“They came here to kill us,” one of the protesters summed it up eerily.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
