International Boxer Anthony Joshua said he thought the #EndSARs protests which rocked Nigeria in October was a fight against a virus Severe acute respiratory syndrome which also has the SARS acronym.
In an exclusive interview with Punch correspondent, Joshua said because he had never been a victim of police brutality while in Nigeria, he had never heard of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
Joshua joined global stars in supporting the #EndSARS movement after Nigerians had gone to the streets to protest against the activities of SARS whose officers were accused of extrajudicial killings, unlawful detentions, torture, extortion and various forms of abuses.
The boxer said it was after his uncle called his attention to the protests in Nigeria that he had to read more about SARS and Nigeria’s history.
“I never knew what SARS was during my time in Nigeria; I never encountered SARS, so, when the movement started happening, I thought SARS was maybe like a virus, I didn’t know SARS. One day after training, my uncle called me and this was just before the issue of the Lekki toll gate, about five hours before it, he called me and told me about the situation on the ground. He told me the people of Nigeria loved me and wanted to hear my voice on it,”
“I told him I didn’t know enough about it to talk about it and he said I should just lend my voice and bring awareness. So, I said if it’s what I can do for now, let me just lend my voice and bring my attention to it because I have a big platform. So, I just said it’s important to find a common ground because you can’t overthrow the government in a minute, but we need to find a common solution that will benefit the people.
“So I thought it was important for me to send out a positive message and shortly after that, about four hours later, people had been murdered at the toll gate. So, I said this wasn’t only about finding a common ground, this had to stop. But I didn’t want to go back on my message, I had sent a message out and I had done a lot more research about the #EndSARS movement.
Joshua joined global stars in supporting the #EndSARS movement after Nigerians had gone to the streets to protest against the activities of SARS whose officers were accused of extrajudicial killings, unlawful detentions, torture, extortion and various forms of abuses.
The boxer said it was after his uncle called his attention to the protests in Nigeria that he had to read more about SARS and Nigeria’s history.
“I never knew what SARS was during my time in Nigeria; I never encountered SARS, so, when the movement started happening, I thought SARS was maybe like a virus, I didn’t know SARS. One day after training, my uncle called me and this was just before the issue of the Lekki toll gate, about five hours before it, he called me and told me about the situation on the ground. He told me the people of Nigeria loved me and wanted to hear my voice on it,”
“I told him I didn’t know enough about it to talk about it and he said I should just lend my voice and bring awareness. So, I said if it’s what I can do for now, let me just lend my voice and bring my attention to it because I have a big platform. So, I just said it’s important to find a common ground because you can’t overthrow the government in a minute, but we need to find a common solution that will benefit the people.
“So I thought it was important for me to send out a positive message and shortly after that, about four hours later, people had been murdered at the toll gate. So, I said this wasn’t only about finding a common ground, this had to stop. But I didn’t want to go back on my message, I had sent a message out and I had done a lot more research about the #EndSARS movement.
From punchng
If he thought it was a virus that means he is a dumb.
ReplyDeleteYou heard something and didn't find the meaning or the cause and you concluded it was a virus.
SARS is an actual virus and I remember it became endemic in China in the early 2000’s, it also spread to other countries but got nipped in the bud before it could become a world wide pandemic like COVID so I wouldn’t blame him for thinking it was a virus. He might be Nigerian but he grew up in another country so it shouldn’t be surprising if he’s not familiar with the Nigerian police organizations.
DeleteSo no, he’s not dumb for thinking SARS was a virus.
Did you even read the whole thing? Now who is dumb? Or you never heard of the sars virus in the past? Please be patient to read because I guess you might be a lovely person.
DeleteSneaker we thought you had sense 😢😢😢. Chineke me!
DeleteSee how uve shown and displayed you're a nuisance and an idiot by calling AJ dumb, did you read the write-up at all? Olodo
DeletePathetic liar. He knew what it was, just wanted to feign ignorance.
ReplyDeleteBut sars is actually a 'virus' in Nigeria na or what's this dunderhead saying? Btw,omething was going on for weeks and you never bothered to read up on it. All these i be Nigerians for mouth sef..infact,I un-crush!
ReplyDelete11:39...nwayokwa.
ReplyDeleteRead well first before you jump to comment.
At least, he has learnt a lot about Nigeria cos of the ENDSARS.
ReplyDeleteAmarachi fool, do you think he needs your respect?
DeleteI just reduced my respect to 20% for you. Other Celebrities researched about this, with some reaching out to Nigerians, but here you are, nkoyeri!
ReplyDeleteUncle, u 'lent' your voice after you will dragged on Twitter like tiger gen. Enough with the lies
ReplyDeleteJoe-shoe-wa- abah!! dis no follow o..even ur paddy DJ Cuppy didnt know too. Billion Boy, pls acquire billion sense naa..
ReplyDelete