Nigeria Born Onuoha Says He Feels Unsafe In The United States

Nigeria Born Onuoha Says He Feels Unsafe In The United States

By Sampson Adedeji

Nigeria born, former Junior Three Lions players Nedum Onuoha has said he felt unsafe in the United States of America.

The Country has been experiencing serious protest in the past few days following the death of George Floyd, BSN Reports.

Onuoha who is presently plying his trade in the Major league soccer with Real Salt Lake said he prefer England than saying in the U.S..

I am always very wary of how I behave and how it could be viewed by people who have power," Onuoha, 33, told the BBC.

"For me personally, overall I don't like to say it but I have a fear and distrust towards police."

Onuoha highlighted America's gun culture and the widespread use of armed police as reasons why he felt less safe in the United States.

"In the UK, I am more comfortable because if something happens it probably will not be deadly -- but over here because of their rights it is more common that altercations become deadly," he said.

"When it comes to any kind of brutality, if it's from the police, if they read me the wrong way then my life could be taken. I feel that every single day. It is not just me but everybody else as well."

Onuoha said he was trying to avoid being over-critical of the police and admitted there were good officers.

"But the fact is over here they are just people from society with a badge and a gun and a lot more power," he added.

"If you worry about the man next door, why would you not worry about the person patrolling the streets who now has more power, more guns but the same views?

"I never go out and feel 100 percent safe."

Onuoha was born in Warri and left Nigeria at the age of 7 years, he turned down the opportunity of representing Nigeria said he felt more like an English man.