*Richard Montgomery, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, assures Nigerians in the United Kingdom of their safety, noting the UK authorities are on top of the recent escalating riots, while intensifying efforts at restoring calm and normalcy to the affected communities in the country

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

Following a recent anti-immigrant misinformation campaign that fuelled escalating riots of 鈥榙angerous proportions鈥� across 12 towns in the country, Dr. Richard Montgomery, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, has assured Nigerians in the United Kingdom (UK) of their safety.

绿帽献妻 reports Montgomery gave the assurance Wednesday, August 7, 2024, while meeting with Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), in Abuja, FCT.

Protesters rioting in the UK

The UK High Commissioner also confirmed that 12 British towns were affected in the aftermath of the public outrage in the UK.

UK Police arrest over 400 persons for public disorder, says envoy

Meanwhile, Montgomery has disclosed that the UK Police arrested over 400 persons in connection with the disorder, while 60 special courts, comprising the British Police and legal operatives, have been set up to handle the situation.

The envoy further assured Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa, CEO of NiDCOM, that the UK authorities are on top of the situation and are doing everything possible to restore calm and normalcy to the affected communities.

In reassuring Nigerians of safety of lives and property in his home country, he reportedly said the UK is home to people of different nationalities and races, and would remain liberal to qualified persons to live, school, and work.

In her remarks during the meeting, Dabiri-Erewa@abikedabiri via her verified X account Wednesday, also affirmed that there were no reports of harmed Nigerians had been received, as she commended the UK for their cooperation in this regard.

She wrote: 鈥淚 met with the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Richard Montgomery, who assured of safety of Nigerians in the Uk,in view of the recent attacks on Immigrants there.

鈥淢any have been arrested, he said. Our people, pls stay safe and be cautious of your surroundings.鈥�

The NiDCOM Chief Executive further reminded Nigerians of the UK travel advisory and urged compatriots in the diaspora to stay safe.

Liverpool, Bristol, and Manchester 鈥� cities with large numbers of foreign students 鈥� have also been affected by the protests.

The riots were triggered by the death of three school girls, aged between six and nine, from a knife attack.

It is recalled the violent protests first broke out late July 2024, in the UK, after an anti-immigrant misinformation campaign stoked outrage over a stabbing attack that left three children dead in Southport, northern England.

According to videos shared on social media, large groups attempted to hijack cars driven by suspected immigrants, while other riot groups attacked a hotel used to house asylum seekers in Rotherham.

On Nigeria鈥檚 travel alert to citizens planning journey to UK

Earlier, the Federal Government of Nigeria in a statement Monday, August 5, warned Nigerians planning to travel to the United Kingdom to be wary of violence risk occasioned by the recent killing of three young girls at a concert.

Amb. Eche Abu-Obe, Spokesman of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, disclosed 鈥渢he violence has assumed 鈥渄angerous proportions鈥� as evidenced by reported attacks on law enforcement agents and damage to infrastructure.鈥�

The Spokesman of the Ministry stated: 鈥淭o this end, citizens are advised to be extra vigilant and take measures as follows: avoiding political processions and protests, rallies or marches, avoiding crowded areas and large gatherings, and being vigilant and self-aware at all times鈥� while travelling to the UK.

The statement equally noted that the 鈥渄emonstrations by far-right and other extra-parliamentary groups in parts of the UK in recent weeks have been large, and in some instances unruly.鈥�

Abu-Obe further stated: 鈥淭hese disturbances have only been aggravated by the unfortunate deaths of the three girls, spawning an anti-immigration narrative, with particular emphasis on Muslim immigrants or persons of colour being targeted.鈥�

A large crowd of anti-Muslim protesters clashed with UK Police last Tuesday in a northern English town, where three girls were stabbed to death, and five other children critically wounded during an attack on a Taylor Swift-themed event Monday.

The horrific stabbing incident in Southport, a quiet seaside town north of Liverpool, has shocked the country, agency report said.

Police have said it was not linked to terrorism and that the suspect was born in the UK.

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