UK Riot: British High Commissioner Assures Nigerians of Safety

Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, has reassured Nigerians in the United Kingdom that they are safe, following anti-immigrant riots.

Montgomery gave the assurance during a meeting with the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, on Wednesday. The British envoy confirmed that 12 towns were affected by the riot.

He assured the Nigerian community in the UK that the government is doing everything possible to restore calm and normalcy to the affected towns. The UK government has reportedly established a special task force of 60 courts including the police and legal operatives, to tackle criminal activities linked to the riots.

Montgomery added that over 400 persons have been arrested in connection with the “disorder.”

The protests first broke out last month, after an anti-immigrant misinformation campaign fueled outrage over a stabbing attack that killed three children in Southport, Northern England. The riots were triggered by the death of three school girls, aged between six and nine, from a knife attack.

Circulating videos on social media have showed large groups of people attempting to hijack cars driven by suspected immigrants, while other groups attacked a hotel used to house asylum seekers in Rotherham.

Montgomery reiterated that UK authorities were doing everything possible to calm the situation. He emphasized the UK’s commitment to being an inclusive and tolerant society, repeating that the country would not accept discrimination or attacks against any community.

He also stressed that the UK will seek justice against those who incite these acts with hatred and misinformation online. “We will not as a country accept discrimination or attacks against any community”, said Montgomery.

Meanwhile, the envoy also revealed that around 430, 000 Nigerian visa applications were successful this year.

Dabiri-Erewa commended the UK government for its swift response and noted that no Nigerians have been harmed or affected by the riots. However, she reminded Nigerians to heed the UK travel advisory and urged them to remain vigilant and cautious.

The UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, vowed to do “whatever it takes to bring these thugs to justice” when he addressed the nation on Sunday.

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