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Nigerian govt a killer, killing her citizens – Odion Ighalo to UK, UN

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Ighalo says Nigerian govt killer

 

BY KAZIE UKO


Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo, has drawn the attention of world leaders to the military operation at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos, where a detachment of Nigerian soldiers Tuesday night shot at Nigerian youths who are protesting the extra-judicial killings of innocent citizens, by the police.

Youths, under the aegis of #EndSARS, have gone on a nationwide peaceful protest, calling on the federal government to disband the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit in the Nigerian Police Force charged with dealing with the offence of armed robbery.

The SARS had been accused of going beyond their call of duty and embarking on targeted and discriminate profiling of young persons, based on their dressing mode, appearances and lifestyle. They reportedly extorted innocent citizens, got entangled in allegations of rape, murder and generally trampled on the people’s fundamental human rights.

Even though the government had acceded to the immediate demand of the youths to disband the SARS, the protesters insisted to see actionable steps being taken to meet their expanded five-point demands, which include adequate compensation for families of victims of SARS and a total reformation of the police force.

As the protest entered its 10th day across the nation and with the government losing patience with the protesters, coupled with hijacking of the protest in some locations by hoodlums, the Lagos State government on Tuesday declared a 24-hour curfew, beginning same day at 4pm. Soldiers were subsequently deployed to the streets of Lagos to quail the protest.

There are yet unconfirmed reports of number of people either killed or injured as the Lekki toll plaza, one of the major protest grounds in Lagos, came under heavy bombardment by men of the Nigerian Army. Tens of discharged bullets were picked by the protesters and journalists as could be seen on national television.

READ: Playing for Man-U a dream come true – Ighalo

Enraged by the reports, still images and videos of the wounded coming out of the military operation at Lekki, Ighalo, who plays professional football in UK with Manchester United, sent a video message in solidarity with the protesting youths and drawing global attention to the tragedy in Nigeria.

He said: “I’m not the kind of guy that talks about politics, but I can’t keep quiet any more for what is going on back home in Nigeria.

“I will say Nigerian government, you guys have shamed (yourself before) the world for killing your own citizens, sending the military to the street to kill unarmed protesters because they are protesting for their rights. It’s uncalled for.

“Today is 20th of October, 2020, you people will be remembered in the history as the first government that sent the military into the street to start killing their own citizens. I’m ashamed of this government, we’re tired of you guys and we can’t take this anymore.

“I’m calling the UK government, calling all the leaders of 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’re calling on you guys, the United Nations to see to the matter.

“And I want to call on my brothers and sisters back home to remain safe, be indoors please, don’t come out because this government, they are killers and they will keep killing if the world did not talk about this.

“God bless you all and remain safe. One Nigeria, we move.”

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