By Martin Cole-
Anthony Joshua and a number of celebrities including Beyonce, Rihanna, and Naomi Campbell, have joined the condemnation against the Nigerian government following news that soldiers killed protesters in Lagos.
Nationwide protests have continued in Nigeria on a daily basis for nearly two weeks against a police unit called the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). Rights groups have accused the unit of extortion, harassment, torture and murders.
Heavyweight champion Joshua, called for change, and expressed disgust at the killings. 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.
“I’m looking at hospitals to support, along with food and care packages in the time being. Change will happen.”
Soldiers opened fire to disperse crowds defying an indefinite 24-hour curfew imposed on Lagos and other regions.
Rihanna said on her her Instagram story thread: ‘I can’t bear to see this torture and brutalisation that is continuing to affect nations across our planet. ‘It is such a betrayal to the citizens, the very people put in place to protect are the ones we are most afraid of being murdered by.
My heart is broken for Nigeria. It is unbearable to watch.’ Beyonce also spoke out after receiving mounting pressure from fans to support #EndSars, particularly after she highlighted various African cultures in her Black Is King visual album.
Grammy award winner, Rihanna, said in a statement: ‘I am heartbroken to see the senseless brutality taking place in Nigeria. There has to be an end to SARS. ‘We have been working on partnerships with youth organisations to support those protesting for change. We are collaborating with coalitions to provide emergency healthcare, food, and shelter.
‘To our Nigerian sisters and brothers, we stand with you. Please visit beyonce.com for a list of organisations to show your support.’ Supermodel Naomi Campbell called for an end to police brutality and said: ‘President @muhammadubuhari, please stop the violence that is killing the Bright and promising future of Nigeria. Our youths and young generation are our leaders of the future.
Disbanded Police Unit
Protests over a now-disbanded police unit – the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (Sars) – have been taking place for two weeks, with demonstrators using the social media hashtag #EndSars to rally crowds.
Protesters who briefly gathered again at the Lekki toll gate where forced out by police.
The unit was disbanded on October 11 but the protests have persisted and at least two people were shot on Tuesday.
A bus station was reported to be on fire in another district, while a major TV station – linked to one of the governing party’s top politicians – was reportedly set alight by people throwing petrol bombs.
The headquarters of the Nigerian Ports Authority was also set on fire. Ighalo posted an attacking tweet against the killing from the Parc des Princes pitch.
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.”
Awareness
Footballer, Idion Ighalo, who won 35 caps for Nigeria before retiring from international football after last year’s Africa Cup of Nations, has called on the world to continue to bring awareness to the situation in his country.
His video was shared to millions of people through team-mate Marcus Rashford and former United star Rio Ferdinand.
“They will keep killing if the world don’t talk about this,” added Ighalo.
Patience
In a statement on Wednesday, President Buhari called on people to have patience as police reforms “gather pace”.
A statement issued by his office said the dissolution of the Sars was “the first step in a set of reform policies that will deliver a police system accountable to the Nigerian people”.
“The presidency wishes to reiterate the full commitment of the Buhari administration to the implementation of lasting police reforms in Nigeria,” it added.
Former US Vice-President Joe Biden and Demcocratic nominee for next month’s election called for an end to the “violent crackdown on protesters”.
“The US must stand with Nigerians who are peacefully demonstrating for police reform and seeking an end to corruption in their democracy,” he said in a statement.