Odion Ighalo of Manchester United could not hide his frustration and bitterness over the massacre that happened at Lekki toll gate in Lagos, Nigeria, where scores of unarmed protesters were killed by the Nigeria Army. Scores were also injured in the attack that happened on Tuesday night.
Though Nigeria Army denied the operation, video taken from the scene of the massacre showed men of the Nigeria Army shooting sparingly resulting in the deaths of an unspecified number of people.
In his reaction, Odion Ighalo posted a video on his Twitter handle after Manchester United’s Champions League match against Paris Saint Germain (PSG) at Parc des Princes on Tuesday night. The match ended 1-2 in favor of Manchester United.
The 31-year-old former Super Eagles striker said though he does not enjoy getting involved in political issues, yet, he could not remain silent over the unrest happening in Nigeria.
He described the current leadership of Nigeria led by President Muhammadu Buhari as a shame to the world and called the government “killers” who allegedly ordered the military to kill the citizens of the country it govern.
Manchester United‘s loanee then called on World leaders, including the government of the United Kingdom and the United Nations to intervene in the issue which started as a #EndSars protest and has now escalated to a form of crisis.
Below are scenes of the Lekki Toll Gate Massacre
🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬 @MBuhari @jidesanwoolu @AsiwajuTinubu how can u even sleep ??? God help us pic.twitter.com/5381MqgD9k
— MegRoyale (@megb2b) October 20, 2020
“I’m not the kind of guy who talks about politics, but I can’t keep quiet anymore for what is going back home in Nigeria,” Odion Ighalo said.
“I would say the Nigerian government is a shame to the world for killing your citizens, sending the military to kill unarmed protesters because they are protesting for their rights? It’s uncalled for.
“Today, the 20th of October, 2020, you people will be remembered in history as the first government to send the military to the city to start killing your citizens.
“I am ashamed of this government, we are tired of you guys and we can’t take this anymore.
“I’m calling the UK government and all those leaders in the world to see what is going on in Nigeria and help the poor citizens. The government is killing their citizens,” he continued.
“We are calling you guys in the United Nations (UN) to see to this matter. I want to tell my brothers and sisters back home to remain safe, be indoors, and please don’t come out because these governments are killers and they will keep killing if the world doesn’t talk about this. God bless you all and remain safe. One Nigeria, we move!”
Nigeria is a mess pic.twitter.com/JH7OFFJEoF
— makaveli (@lilmitchi) October 20, 2020
Odion Ighalo who did not play any part in Manchester United’s 2-1 victory over Paris Saint Germain on Tuesday night, has been on loan at the Premier League club since February 2020. He is expected to return to Shanghai Shenhua in February 2021.
