EndSARS: Mesut Ozil, Antonio Rudiger Among 10 Players Who Backed Campaign Against Police Brutality

• The EndSARS campaign against police brutality has continued to garner support from sportsmen around the world
• In 2020, millions of Nigerian youths took to the streets to protest against the police unit SARS
• Mesut Ozil, Antonio Rudiger, and Reece James were among several players who lent their voices

Quite a number of football stars supported the campaign against police brutality in Nigeria, themed EndSARS.

In October 2020, youths embarked on a decentralised social movement, sparking a series of mass protests against police brutality in Nigeria.

The slogan calls for the disbanding of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit of the Nigerian Police with a record of abuse against Nigerian citizens.

GOAL reports that on October 20 of that year, news had it that Nigeria's military opened fire on citizens and killed a number of protesters, an act which enraged sports stars and athletes around the world.

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Below are statements of footballers who backed the EndSARS campaign against police brutality.

1. Reece James

"You don’t need to be Nigerian to speak out🗣 what’s currently happening is devastating! My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected across the world. This needs to end #EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutality"

2. Mesut Ozil

"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"

3. Victor Moses

"Brilliant win today and delighted to get my first goal for the club. I dedicate my goal today to the people of Nigeria. Enough is enough. Nigerians have the right to protest and not be killed for it. #PrayForNigeria."

4. Wilfred Ndidi

"#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"

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5. Tammy Abraham

"Dear Nigeria

#EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutality."

6. Antonio Rudiger

"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"

7. Ahmed Musa

"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."

8. Marcus Rashford

"My thoughts and prayers with all of those affected 🇳🇬 #EndSARS"

9. Rio Ferdinand

"Another day of traumatic scenes in Nigeria

Sending My Love To Everyone Affected. #EndSARS"

10. Leon Balogun

"The reasons for the #EndSARSProtests have just come to my attention via very disturbing images & tweets. It is never good when those charged with protecting the citizens are now terrorising, extorting, or even killing the same citizens. I support #EndSarsProtests #EndSars."

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Israel Adesanya says he’ll never forget

Sports Brief earlier reported that Israel Adesanya stated that in as much as he supports the EndSARS movement clamouring for the end of police brutality in Nigeria, he will only use his social media platform responsibly.

Nigerian youths had taken to the streets to condemn police brutality, calling for a total overhaul of the policing architecture in the country.

Several sportsmen across the globe lent their voices to support the protests, including boxing champion Anthony Joshua.