United Kingdom Riots: Nigerians express fear over safety

Nigerians’ resident in United Kingdom have raised concern over the ongoing attack by rioters in the country, expressing fear that they are now target of the rioters adding that the riots have been fuelled by misinformation online, the far-right and anti-immigration sentiment.

Penpushing reports that score of immigrants explained that they now entertained fear to even go to work nor leave their homes as they could not say what might happened to them if they came across the violent protesters

The riots it is recalled began last Monday after three young girls were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga event in Southport, North England, while as at the time of filing this report the foreigners are emotionally traumatised.

“We feel targeted but have not experienced any (violence) first-hand because we would rather not leave home. Just this evening, the protests are happening in the city I reside in, and people are scared of the uncertainties in Bournemouth’, a Nigerian was quoted saying

“It is a shame what is happening in the UK… I knew there was subtle racism but I could never have imagined this will happen. We must not allow their lies fly. We are good people and we behave ourselves in an orderly manner in this country and should not be made to feel unsafe or suffer’.

A lot of Brits are of the notion that immigrants come here free, get all the jobs, stay in five-star hotels and take all the benefits. We will continue to be upstanding members of society and hope to be accorded the same respect and dignity’, another resident said

Penpushing further reports that the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemning the far-right thuggery associated with the protest across different cities, however, assured the public that offenders will be made to face the law.

“I utterly condemn the far-right thuggery we have seen this weekend. Be in no doubt, those who have participated in this violence will face the full force of the law,” the Prime Minister emphasized on Sunday on X.

Penpushing also reports that British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported that three men who admitted taking part in riots in Southport and Liverpool in the days after the three girls were killed have been jailed.

The Nigerian government on Monday, it is recalled issued a security advisory to Nigerians wanting to travel to the United Kingdom, following the violence which assumed dangerous proportions as evidenced by reported attacks on law enforcement agents and damage to infrastructure

‘The violence has assumed dangerous proportions as evidenced by reported attacks on law enforcement agents and damage to infrastructure. To this end, citizens are advised to be extra vigilant, avoid political processions and protests, rallies or marches,” the advisory read.

Penpushing reports that the head of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), the Nigerian agency responsible for the interests of Nigerians in the Diaspora, on Tuesday met with the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Mongomery, and other officials to discuss the fate of Nigerians living in the United Kingdom (UK) amidst the riots.

Meanwhile, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria at the meeting, however, assured Nigerians in the United Kingdom (UK) of their safety and security.

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