Crotone striker Simy: Why I support #EndPoliceBrutality campaign

NIGERIAN striker Simeon Nwankwo has spoken up after revealing a shirt with a message during his side Crotone’s 1-1 Serie A home draw with champions Juventus on Saturday night.

The Super Eagles star scored the promoted side’s only goal from the penalty spot and celebrated by holding up a T-shirt condemning police brutality in Nigeria.

Victor Osimehn had done the same earlier in the day after scoring in Napoli’s 4-1 win over Atalanta.

The two white shirts have “EndPoliceBrutalityInNigeria” boldly written in black ink in reference to the ongoing protests back home against the police’s excesses.

“It is a difficult time for Nigeria and I hope that my nation and my fellow citizens will be able to get out of this situation as soon as possible,” the striker, simply referred to as Simy in Italy, said.

“From here we do what we can, it’s little but we do it.”

The widespread protests in Nigeria have been going on across the country for 11 days, the youths demanding that the criminal elements in the police force be brought to book and the force comprehensively reformed.

The protests were initially against the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad, an oppressive unit of the police force that harassed, extorted and murdered young Nigerians with impunity.

But even after SARS was disbanded, the youths have made other demands as they seek to ensure the country is safe for them and the entire population.