Super Eagles international John Ogu has urged his teammates to boycott the forthcoming game against Sierra Leone in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in protest against the government.
Huge protests have been witnessed in the West Africa nation against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) for illegal detentions, assaults and murder of youths.
On Tuesday, 12 demonstrators were killed at Lekki toll gate in Lagos as reported by Amnesty International.
Despite SARS disbandment, there have been massive protests to pressurize some officials to resign owing to bad governance and poor economic conditions.
The division has been accused of assaults, illegal detentions and the murder of Nigerian youths and although the unit was disbanded weeks ago, the protest continued unabated as protesters increased their demands, calling for an end to bad governance and poor economic conditions.
On Tuesday, men in military camouflage shot at protesters at Lekki toll gate in Lagos, killing 12 people, according to Amnesty International, which has generated wide condemnation across the world.
Ogu, who has 26 caps for the Super Eagles, has urged his teammates not to honour Nigeria’s upcoming matches in protest to the incident.
“What is the point in representing the country if this is what the politicians, the people we’re representing, can do to us? I feel like this is the best thing to do right now until they get back to their senses and listen to us,” Ogu, who is currently in Lagos, told BBC World Service Radio.
“We want a good government, the police brutality to stop, we want the SARS to stop, we want the killings to stop, we want good laws, we want job opportunities. It’s just crazy.
“I believe most of my colleagues understand where I am coming from, I wish we could do this. There are games coming up and if we boycott these games I’m sure they will know we’ve made a statement.
“I haven’t really spoken to any of my team-mates about this. They feel for the people here, their loved ones, those that have died. I’m sure the players are aware.”
The former Al-Adalah player revealed he has been involved in the protests and has always been peaceful. However, as he reveals, things are slowly getting out of hand.
“In Lagos, it’s brutal now. Burning banks, cars, police stations. It’s dangerous to go out. The country is in shambles.
“I’ve been in the protests six or seven times. It’s always peaceful.
“I don’t know [whether there will be a boycott]. I don’t know what is in the heart of the other boys. I’m sure everyone is thinking about this now. We have a match next month. If this thing continues to next month we won’t play.
“How can I go to the national team to represent my country to represent the government and the people when I think of the lost souls of those who have been killed?”