For weeks, Nigerians across the country have been calling for an end of abuse — perpetrated by police, comprehensive reform in policing and law enforcement, and an end to the problem of insecurity in Nigeria.
Odion Ighalo, Mesut Ozil, and Marcus Rashford are among the footballers who have spoken out in support of Nigeria’s #EndSars movement. Using the hashtag #EndSARS on social media, international footballers have joined in the campaign to end police brutality in Nigeria.
The footballers include Tammy Abraham, Toni Rudiger, and most of the Super Eagles team members have spoken out.
Dear Nigeria #EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutality 🙏🏾🇳🇬💔
— Tammy Abraham (@tammyabraham) October 10, 2020
All my strength, prayers and thoughts to all the people in Nigeria. We can’t accept what’s happening. End it NOW! #Nigeria 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/bQbj259pv5
— Cesc Fàbregas Soler (@cesc4official) October 22, 2020
After my short statement about Nigeria already last week I’m now even more shocked about how the situation there has got more and more out of control.💔🇳🇬 This saddens me so much. This has absolutely nothing to do with democracy. pic.twitter.com/YIdOmMfhW6
— Antonio Rüdiger (@ToniRuediger) October 21, 2020
Horrible to hear what’s been going on in Nigeria. Let’s make this a trending topic everywhere ▶️ #EndSARS – My thoughts go out to everyone who has been affected. 🇳🇬💚 #EndPoliceBrutality
— Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) October 11, 2020
#EndSarsNow #EndPoliceBrutality enough is enough 😡 pic.twitter.com/1g82KTq4U0
— victor osimhen (@victorosimhen9) October 10, 2020
The Youths are Awake . #EndPoliceBrutalityinNigeria pic.twitter.com/R6dCqfX5TT
— John Ogu (@ogujohnugo) October 13, 2020
#EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutalityinNigera
✊🏾🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/5yBbwOZalw— Ndidi Wilfred (@Ndidi25) October 19, 2020
My heart goes out to everyone that has lost a loved one in this unnecessary massacre that happened https://t.co/HqlZWpvVqt‘s unfortunate that we have lost the right to peacefully protest or exercise our basic human right.The government needs to do better and put an end to this💔 pic.twitter.com/IHh0IKMzGL
— AhmedMusa718 (@Ahmedmusa718) October 21, 2020
In perhaps the most compelling reaction to the violence, Odion Ighalo in a video shared on his Twitter page reacted to the shocking developments and described the Nigerian government as a ‘shame to the world’ over the killing of unarmed protesters at the Lekki toll gate.
Pray for NIGERIA🇳🇬✊🏿 pic.twitter.com/V7i4Ngs9qd
— Odion Jude Ighalo (@ighalojude) October 20, 2020
The Super Eagles have also begun to flirt with the idea of protesting brutality with Super Eagles star, John Ogu indirectly suggesting that the national team players stop playing as a form of protest to the government to put a stop to injustice.
The Politicians should asked their children to go and represent Nigeria in the next @NGSuperEagles , @thenff upcoming games . 💔💔💔
— John Ogu (@ogujohnugo) October 20, 2020
We strongly condemn the deployment of the military & use of live ammunition against peaceful #EndSARS protesters at the #Lekkitollgate and other parts of our country on the 20th of October, 2020.
We extend our wholehearted sympathy to the friends and family of our heroes. May their ultimate sacrifice not be in vain.