MARCUS RASHFORD MBE and Mesut Ozil are among the footballers taking a stand against police brutality in Nigeria.
The pair both took to social media to voice their support of the #EndSARS movement.
Momentum is gathering as protestors fight against the federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (Sars), widely accused of unlawful arrests, torture and murder.
Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari said he is committed to seeing reforming the policing in his country – but those leading the #EndSARS charge want the force disbanded rather than reformed.
Rashford – who will receive his order after his work to help ensure 1.3million children receive free school meals – shared a tweet from fellow England international Tammy Abraham.
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The Chelsea striker could have chosen to represent Nigeria instead of the Three Lions.
He wrote: “Dear Nigeria #EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutality”
Rashford added: “My thoughts and prayers with all of those affected #EndSARS”
Unsurprisingly, the tweet received plenty of positive reaction from followers.
One wrote: “What a human you are king.”
My thoughts and prayers with all of those affected
#EndSARS https://t.co/BnFJWjITkG
— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) October 11, 2020
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
Another replied: “Marcus, you are the epitome of everything a human-being can be.”
Ozil has not played a competitive minute of football for Arsenal since March and was left out of the Europa League squad.
But he continued his commendable social justice action.
That includes donating £80,000 to Muslims affected by coronavirus during Ramadan, setting up a clothes brand to support children in Italy and speaking out on the treatment of Uighur Muslims in China – a stance Arsenal distanced themselves from.
The German wrote on Twitter: “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”
Chelsea defenders Fikayo Tomori and Antonio Rudiger also tweeted their support of the movement to end police brutality in Nigeria.
The latter said: “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”
#EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutality
.
— Fikayo Tomori (@fikayotomori_) October 10, 2020
Police brutality in Nigeria needs attention. You do that to your own people.
#PeaceFirst #EndSARS
— Antonio Rüdiger (@ToniRuediger) October 10, 2020
Leicester City and Nigeria midfielder Wilfred Ndidi added: “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’s international team-mate Alex Iwobi wrote: “We Need To Put An End To What’s Going On In Naij. Protect Lives , Not Take Them Away. #EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutality”
And fellow Super Eagles star Ahmed Musa commented: “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”
Arsenal legend Ian Wright as well as Manchester United and Nigeria striker Odion Ighalo also shared posts of solidarity.
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 #PoliceBrutality
— Odion Jude Ighalo (@ighalojude) October 9, 2020
