The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, has assured the Nigerian diaspora in the United Kingdom of their safety amid recent unrest in several UK cities.
According to The PUNCH, this assurance came during a meeting with Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission.
Montgomery, in a statement from Gabriel Odu of NiDCOM’s media and Public Relations Unit, addressed the concerns surrounding disturbances affecting 12 towns in the UK.
He detailed the UK government’s response, including the formation of a special task force comprising 60 courts and both police and legal operatives to address the criminal activities linked to the unrest.
The High Commissioner highlighted the UK’s commitment to inclusivity and tolerance, emphasizing that discrimination or attacks against any community would not be tolerated.
Additionally, the government is actively tackling online incitement and misinformation.
“We will not, as a country, accept discrimination or attacks against any community,” Montgomery stated.
He also revealed that approximately 430,000 Nigerian visa applications were successful in 2024, advising applicants to apply directly and avoid using agents.
Dabiri-Erewa praised the UK government’s prompt action and confirmed that no Nigerians have been reported harmed or affected by the disturbances thus far.
She reinforced the importance of the travel advisory issued by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and urged Nigerians in the UK to stay vigilant.
The meeting was also attended by British Deputy High Commissioner Gill Lever, First Secretary Political Natalie Palmer, and NiDCOM staff members.
Following violent riots in the UK, several countries, including Nigeria, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, and Canada, have issued travel warnings.
The unrest reportedly began after a knife attack at a children’s dance class in Southport, northwest England, last Monday, resulting in the deaths of three girls and injuries to 10 others.
The incident triggered widespread protests, fueled by misinformation about the attacker, who was falsely suggested to be an immigrant and radical Islamist.
The police have confirmed that the suspect, a British-born individual, is not being treated as a terrorist.
Foreign media have reported over 420 arrests as social media-driven riots have spread. In one instance, a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham, near Sheffield, was attacked with petrol bombs, leading to clashes with police and injuries to ten officers.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to take “whatever it takes to bring these thugs to justice,” as he addressed the nation on Sunday.
