Nigeria v Argentina: Eagles urged to wear black armbands to protest killing in Plateau

Super Eagles

Nigeria v Argentina: Eagles urged to wear black armbands to protest killing in Plateau

Following gruesome killing of over 120 native farmers in Plateau State by Fulani herdsmen on Saturday, fans of the Super Eagles have urged the players to wear black armbands during the 7: pm match with Argentines to demonstrate their protest against the killing and urge the government to stop the killings.

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Super Eagles Mourn Plateau Killing

Peter Oloko, wrote on Facebook: “We need to send a strong signal to the world about these killings in Nigeria and the best people to do it are the Eagles now they are at the world stage. They should at least wear an armband to protest against the killings and demonstrate their solidarity to the Plateau and Nigerian people”.

Several commenters on the post also urged the Eagles to either stay away from the match or warm armbands to show their grief.

However, Premium Times reports that the Super Eagles spokesperson Toyin Ibitoye informed FCNaija.com that there are no plans to have the players wear any armbands to show solidarity with the victims of the crisis during Tuesday’s game Argentina.

“It is understood that such requests are not made at short notices”, said Premium Times.

Nigeria face Argentina on Tuesday in St Petersburg and the players will hope that their performances can bring joy to a troubled nation.

However, some of the players, including Ahmed Musa, have mourned the deaths and called on the government to find a solution urgently.  

Musa started his professional football career in Jos with the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).

Musa hails from Kano but lived most of his life in Jos, the Plateau State capital. John Mikel Obi and Ogenyi Onazi are also among the football stars that trace their humble beginnings to the Tin City.

Other Super Eagles players also joined Musa to call for an end to the killings on the Plateau following news on Monday that almost 100 were killed over the weekend in attacks by suspected herdsmen.

Defender Leon Balogun and midfielder John Ogu both tweeted pictures seeking prayers for Plateau.

Musa tweeted a photo with the hashtag #StopTheKillingsInPlateau while Ogu tweeted #PrayForPlateau They need our prayers. Balogun’s hashtag #UnitedWeStandDividedWeFall was accompanied by the photo of a candlelight.