Nigerian-born world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua has joined his voice to growing condemnation of the alleged killing of anti-police brutality protesters in Lagos, megasportsarena.com reports.
The 30-year-old Joshua, who min June had been very vocal during the Black Lives Matter protests in England, during which he even publicly addressed hundreds of people at a rally in his home town of Watford, condemned the Nigerian government following reports that soldiers opened fire on protesters in Lagos.
Nigerians have been demonstrating nationwide every day for nearly two weeks against a police unit called Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), which human rights groups accused of extortion, harassment, torture and murders.
Although SARS was disbanded on October 11 by the federal government, the protests have persisted unabated and 12 people were reportedly shot by soldiers on Tuesday, after a 24 hour curfew was declared by the state government; and Joshua quickly joined in criticising the army’s incursion into the face-off.
Joshua said: “The situation has escalated; the violence and killings are horrendous. All because of people saying they want to live in peace? I pray God opens the gates for the heroes of Nigeria!
“This was never a trend for me! It’s real life and I want to learn how to make lasting change. I’m looking at hospitals to support, along with food and care packages in the time being. Change will happen.”
