Angela Deem and Michael Ilesanmi finally tied the knot on 90 Day Fiancé. And although fans expected happier times from the volatile pairing, they continue to face a lot of challenges. Michael is stuck back home due to the COVID-19 pandemic as it’s slowed down his visa process, while Angela is not sure if she is ready to have a baby. But another issue seems to be a concern for the 90 Day Fiancé couple. On their mutual Instagram, Michael and Angela have pledged their support for protests against police brutality in Nigeria by posting about #EndSARS.
Since 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days season 2, Angela, 54, has been a constant on the TLC show and many of its spin-offs. The Hazelhurst, Georgia, native who started off her journey by going all the way to Nigeria to be with her boyfriend Michael is also reportedly in talks for her solo show. However, Angela who’s recently had some work done to her face is not able to share her happiness with now-husband Michael. The 90 Day Fiancé couple planned on getting a spousal visa for him after their wedding. But even after walking down the aisle in January, Angie and Michael have stayed on separate continents due to COVID-19 and its repercussions. The pandemic has shut down immigration services, putting a halt on Michael’s visa process. Additionally, President Donald Trump had also widened his travel ban back in February to six more countries, including Nigeria. Still, the current situation in Michael’s native country is just adding to the 90 Day Fiancé couple’s woes as he claims that police brutality doesn’t even allow him to carry Angela’s pictures on his phone.
A number of citizens and police officers have been killed in the African country’s largest city Lagos as protests against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) intensify. Celebrities like Rihanna, Kanye West, and Beyoncé have shown their support for the #EndSARS campaign. Angela and Michael too showed their solidarity with demonstrators by posting a series of stories and a “Nigeria Lives Matter #EndSARS” post on Instagram. “I pray for our dear country Nigeria for good governance. I have been a Victim of police brutality and extortion,” Michael revealed. “It's the reason I don’t keep my wife Angie pics on my phone,” he confessed disappointedly. “We just want good government that's all, enough with the oppression,” the 90 Day Fiancé star continued, as he added, “A lot of youths lost their lives to them. #endsars #endpolicebrutality #policereform.”
Michael and Angela’s heartfelt post received comments from multitudes of 90 Day Fiancé fans who also prayed for the safety of everyone in Nigeria. “I wish Michael could be here and safe with Angie and his new family,” mentioned one of Angela’s followers. Whereas, a Nigerian fan of the TLC pair wrote, “Thank you Michael and Angela. I am a Nigerian in Nigeria and its hell. The police brutality on the youth is terribly shocking. You dare not look good. They kill youths. Rob youths. Extort from them.”
According to Elle, in June, Amnesty International reported at least 82 instances of torture and extrajudicial killings via SARS between January 2017 and May. “Like protests in the U.S. against police brutality, demonstrations in Nigeria have been met with tear gas and reported gunfire,” says the article. New York Times had reported that SARS began in 1992 in order to tackle violent crime in Lagos; officers traveled in unmarked buses and often did not wear uniforms or name tags. TIME had written that protests against police brutality began in Nigeria in early October after a video showed officers, who were thought to be SARS, allegedly killing a young man in Nigeria’s Delta State.
It's commendable to the 90 Day Fiancé stars informing their followers about what’s happening and also sharing #EndSARS on their social media to spread the word. However, as Michael mentioned it has also affected his relationship with Angela with him not being allowed to keep her pictures on his phone. Here’s hoping Michael and his fellow Nigerians emerge safely and victorious out of the protests, and that he reunites with his lady-love as she undergoes a life-threatening weight loss surgery.
Source: Angela Deem and Michael's Instagram, Elle, Amnesty International, New York Times, TIME