Manchester United star Odion Ighalo has become one of the latest Nigerian football players to voice his support for protests against police brutality in Nigeria.
In a video on Twitter, the Nigerian striker called his country’s government “a shame to the world”.
Ighalo, who has won 35 caps for Nigeria’s national football team, said in his statement that he could not “stay silent anymore”.
“I am ashamed of this government, we are tired of you guys and we can’t take this anymore,” he added.
This comes amid reports that several people have been shot dead and wounded during demonstrations in Nigeria’s biggest city, Lagos.
Lagos State government officials denied there were any deaths and have promised an investigation.
The former Super Eagles forward who was an unused substitute in Manchester United’s 2-1 Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain at Parc des Princes.
“I’m not the kind of guy who talks about politics, but I can’t keep quiet anymore for what is going on back home in Nigeria,” Ighalo said in a video tagged ‘Pray for Nigeria’ on Twitter.
“I would say the Nigerian government is a shame to the world for killing your own citizens, sending the military to kill unarmed protesters because they are protesting for their own rights? It’s uncalled for.
“Today, the 20th of October, 2020, you people will be remembered in history as the first government to send the military to the city to start killing your own citizens.
“I am ashamed of this government, we are tired of you guys and we can’t take this anymore.”
Ighalo also called on the United Nations, the UK, and world leaders to come to the aid of citizens in Nigeria
“I’m calling the UK government and all those leaders in the world to see what is going on in Nigeria and help the poor citizens. The government is killing their own citizens,” he continued.
“We are calling you guys in the United Nations (UN) to look at this matter. I want to tell my brothers and sisters back home to remain safe, be indoor and please don’t come out because the government are killers and they will keep killing if the world doesn’t talk about this. God bless you all and remain safe. One Nigeria, we move!”
Also, British-Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua said he was exploring donations to support local hospitals and provide food packages.
“This was never a trend for me! It’s real life and I want to learn how to make lasting change,” he added.
The Shanghai Shenhua loanee who has featured just once in the Premier League for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men this season would be hoping to be in action when United welcome Frank Lampard’s Chelsea to Old Trafford on Saturday.
Prior to Tuesday’s massacre, Super Eagles took a stand in support of the protests during the international break, where Super Eagles players formed a circle after Kelechi Iheanacho’s goal against Tunisia, took a knee and raised their fists in support of the protest against police brutality.
In another development, Leicester City powerhouse Wilfred Ndidi stood up with a raised first during the Foxes’ Premier League home loss to Aston Villa last weekend.
Victor Osimhen after he scored his first goal in the Serie A for Napoli, displayed a shirt with the #EndSARS and #EndPoliceBrutalityInNigeria hashtags used by the protesters.
Simeon “Simy” Nwankwo did the same after scoring for Crotone in their 1-1 draw with Juventus.
Nwankwo told ESPN that he has also suffered some of the harassment that has led to the nationwide protest.
“I have been stopped (by police) many times,” he alleged. “Just because they look into the car and see a young boy they feel like [shouldn’t be] driving a car and dressing good.
“They pull you by the side and start searching the car like you are a criminal.
“We are here doing a lot of sacrifices trying to make ends meet like any other Nigerian. Then, when you come home to your country to rest you come outside and someone starts asking you questions.
“And when you answer in a simple tone, they get aggressive to change the situation and take it to the angle they want to. Because at the end of the day they want to take money.”
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