World heavy weight champion Anthony Joshua and Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo have both denounced and dispraised the Nigerian government following reports that soldiers opened fire on protesters in Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria yesterday.
Recall that Nigerians, most especially youths have been seen demonstrating nationwide every day for nearly two weeks against a police unit called the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). The unit have been accused the of extortion, harassment, torture and murders.
However, the unit was disbanded on October 11 but the protests have persisted, with many killed and injured in the deadly attack on protesters. Yet, the Nigerian Army said no soldiers were at the scene of the shooting.
The Nigerian decent, Anthony Joshua has called for change while his compatriot, Odion Ighalo, following United ‘s 2- 1 Champions League win over PSG, released a video message criticising the country’s government.
In his words Joshua said: “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”.
While Ighalo posted his tweet from the Parc des Princes pitch, having been an unused substitute on Tuesday night.
Ighalo said:
“The Nigerian government, you guys 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 own rights? It’s uncalled for.
“You people will be remembered in history as the first government to send the military to the city to start killing their own citizens. I am ashamed of this government, we are tired of you guys and we can’t take this anymore.”
Meanwhile, there have been different reactions from different athletes and footballers condemning the killing against the protesters.
