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The alleged illegal activities of Nigeria’s Special Anti-Theft Squad (SARS) have sparked mass protests across the West African country.
Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford and Arsenal forward Mesut Ozil have added their voices to those calling for an end to the activities of the Special Anti-Theft Squad (SARS), a unit of the Nigerian Police, which has since been disbanded by the government. .
SARS has been accused of illegal arrests, torture and murder, sparking massive protests across the country.
Images of those protests, as well as some of the alleged activities of SARS, have been widely shared on social media, meaning the issue gained worldwide attention.
The #EndSARS hashtag gained traction on social media, and several well-known celebrities, sports stars, and sports clubs responded calling for a change.
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright, Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi and Serie A Roma tweeted their support earlier this week to show solidarity with the Nigerians.
Gunners star Ozil has added his voice to those calling for change. tweeting: “It is horrible to hear what is happening in Nigeria. Let’s make this a trending topic everywhere. #EndSARS – My thoughts go out to everyone who has been affected. “
Chelsea forward Tammy Abraham, who has Nigerian heritage, tweeted: “Dear Nigeria #EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutality”
Abraham’s teammate in England, Rashford then replied to Abraham’s tweet, adding: “My thoughts and prayers with all those affected.”
Earlier this week, the federal government promised to reform the police unit, but citizens are demanding more than a shakeup, with the dissolution of SARS, the target of the protesters, who feel that previous efforts to reform the police have failed in a genuine change.
With the protests showing no signs of abating, it was confirmed on Sunday that the government had accepted the protesters’ demands, with a presidential directive dissolving SARS with immediate effect.
A government statement read: “The Special Anti-Theft Squad (SARS) of the Nigerian Police has been disbanded with immediate effect.
“All officers and men of the now defunct Special Anti-Theft Squad (SARS) will be redeployed with immediate effect.
“A new police arrangement is being worked on to address the anticipated policing breaches that the dissolution of SARS will cause and will be announced by the Nigerian Police Force.”
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