The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a warning to its citizens planning to travel to the United Kingdom, advising them to exercise caution due to escalating violence linked to recent riots. The advisory follows the tragic killing of three young girls at a concert, which has ignited widespread unrest and protests across the UK.
In a statement released in the early hours of Monday, August 5th, and signed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, the government emphasized the heightened risk of violence and disorder in the UK. The statement noted that the unrest, which has intensified following the deaths of the three girls, has led to attacks on law enforcement officers and significant damage to infrastructure.
The advisory highlighted that recent demonstrations, including those organized by far-right and other extra-parliamentary groups, have been notably large and, in some cases, unruly. The tragic event of July 29, 2024, where a knife attack at a children’s yoga and dance workshop resulted in the deaths of three children and injuries to eight others, has further fueled the unrest. This attack also left two adults critically injured.
The violence has been compounded by Islamophobic sentiments and disinformation, leading to anti-Muslim protests and riots that have been described as the most severe in the past 13 years. The Financial Times has reported that the protests are driven by a combination of factors including Islamophobia, fears about crime, anti-migration attitudes, xenophobia, nationalism, and perceived biases from police and media.
In light of these developments, Nigerian travelers are urged to remain vigilant, avoid areas of active protests or riots, and adhere to any safety recommendations from local authorities in the UK.
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