‘Beyoncé is dead to us’ - Popstar slammed for late and inadequate support for Nigerian #EndSARS protesters

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Fans of Beyoncé are not pleased with how long it took the “Black Is King” creator to lend her voice to the ongoing SARS crises in Nigeria.

The backlash for her late arrival was mainly because her visual album which spoke largely about embracing African culture was partially filmed in Nigeria with Nigerian creatives and now that she has spoken, the message was not well received by the Bey hive.

SARS is the Special Anti-Robbery Squad that has become a mainstay in Nigeria’s domestic security apparatus for the last three decades. Tasked with tackling urban crime, SARS has only gained the reputation of being an unforgivingly brutal arm of the police who have killed, harassed and tortured many Nigerians, according to the non-profit Amnesty International.

One of the best things possible is happening for protesters against police brutality and state-sanctioned violence in Nigeria and that is, their clamors have been noticed and are being amplified by some of the most popular African-American entertainers but Beyoncé was a little late to add her voice.

Beyoncé hasn’t spoken out about SARS?…. you lots come collect your ‘Mama Africa’

She then released a statement on Instagram saying, “I am heartbroken to see the senseless brutality taking place in Nigeria,” she wrote in a text post.

“We have been working on partnerships with youth organizations to support those protesting for change. We are collaborating with coalitions to provide emergency healthcare, food and shelter. To our Nigerian sisters and brothers, we stand by you.”

A message from Beyoncé. pic.twitter.com/5Ng7JF2stf

— BeyGOOD (@BeyGood) October 21, 2020

It seems the Bey hives and then some others did not go easy on the Queen B.

We’re not hungry please. The only thing we needed from her was a wider international view, not to mention the fact she employed indigenous talents.

We all know the impact of Nigerians in #thegift album. You can’t just famz our culture and then go like that, it’s fraud.

— ThedorathybachStanAccount (@NovaAlte) October 21, 2020