Some prominent Footballers across the world have used social media to show their support for Nigeria’s EndSARS movement. The movement has been dominating social media especially Twitter with the hashtag #EndSARS and #EndPoliceBrutality.
The movement has been a reoccurring one over the years but this time around, it has received massive international attention as players in Nigeria‘s football national team and players from other countries have added their voices to the call for SARS to be banned.
SARS – Special Anti-Robbery Squad is a department of the Nigeria Police specifically set-up to respond to arm-robbery-related cases. But the operatives of the police unit have been doing more of harassing young Nigerians who dress flashy and use expensive gadgets including cars and phones.
The operatives of the unit reportedly go as far as killing innocent people, stealing, extorting, and even kidnapping people with the aim of collect ransom from their families or wards for their release.
Though the Nigerian government led by President Muhammadu Buhari had said the government would reform the police unit, those protesting against Sars want nothing but total disbandment of the police unit.
Some of the prominent footballers that have joined the #EndSars movement include Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford, Chelsea duo Tammy Abraham and Antonio Rudiger, Leicester, and Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, and many others.
Below are some of the reactions of footballers in support of Endsars movement.
England and Chelsea forward Tammy Abraham took to his Twitter page to share the Endsars hashtag. The Nigerian born English football star simply wrote “Dear Nigeria” and included the two viral hashtags to his tweet.
Dear Nigeria #EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutality 🙏🏾🇳🇬💔
— Tammy Abraham (@tammyabraham) October 10, 2020
Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford, Tammy’s teammate in England national team, shared Tammy’s tweet with the caption “My thoughts and prayers with all of those affected.”
My thoughts and prayers with all of those affected 🇳🇬 #EndSARS https://t.co/BnFJWjITkG
— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) October 11, 2020
Arsenal’s embattled midfielder Mesut Ozil didn’t fail to add his voice in support of the EndSars movement. He took to Twitter and tweeted: “Horrible to hear what’s been going on in Nigeria. Let’s make this a trending topic everywhere #EndSars…”
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
Germany international and Chelsea defender, Antonio Rudiger didn’t also missed the opportunity to air his voice on the ongoing protest. The defender tweeted to urge the federal government to end Sars.
Police brutality in Nigeria needs attention. You do that to your own people.💔 It is so sad what is going on there. 🇳🇬 This has to end ❌🙏🏾 #PeaceFirst #EndSARS
— Antonio Rüdiger (@ToniRuediger) October 10, 2020
Former Manchester United captain and retired England international Rio Ferdinand also took to Twitter to join in the protest. “Another day of traumatic scenes in Nigeria. Sending My Love To Everyone Affected”, he tweeted.
Another day of traumatic scenes in Nigeria 😫
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) October 11, 2020
Sending My Love To Everyone Affected 💚
🇳🇬 #EndSARS
Below are more tweets from footballers in support of the movement.
#EndSarsNow #EndPoliceBrutalityinNigeria 🙏🏽 !!!
— Santi Gomes (@agomes_47) October 11, 2020
#EndSARS #PoliceBrutality 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/oVvcTpa52Y
— Odion Jude Ighalo (@ighalojude) October 9, 2020
In a world where genuine love for ourselves seems to be so scarce, I sincerely pray that the right thing is done to put an end to the strife. #EndNorthBanditry #EndPoliceBrutality 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/hkQpd9eo6C
— AhmedMusa718 (@Ahmedmusa718) October 9, 2020
#EndSARS for the safety of Nigerians… we are scared to visit home because the people who are meant to protect us are killing us. Looking good with dreads is not a crime..
— Ndidi Wilfred (@Ndidi25) October 10, 2020
#EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutality 🇳🇬🙏🏾💔.
— Fikayo Tomori (@fikayotomori_) October 10, 2020
