UK Riot: British High Commissioner assures Nigerians of safety

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, has assured that Nigerians in the United Kingdom are safe and secure following the protests in some UK cities.

Montgomery gave the assurance during a meeting with the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in Abuja.

A statement by the spokesman of NiDCOM, Gabriel Odu, noted that a total of 12 British towns were affected by the disorder.

He stated that the government has set up 60 special courts composed of UK Police and legal operatives to look into what he described as “criminal disorder.” The High Commissioner added that over 400 persons have been arrested.

The British envoy to Nigeria, however, assured the Nigerian community in the UK that the government was doing everything possible to restore calm and normalcy to the affected communities.

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He assured that justice would also be served in due process: “We will not, as a country, accept discrimination or attacks against any community.”

He further informed that about 430,000 visa applications by Nigerians were successful this year, while advising visa applicants to apply by themselves and be circumspect of agents.

Meanwhile, Abike Dabiri, the NiDCOM boss, acknowledged that no Nigerian has died or been affected by the unrest in the UK so far.

“These issues,” no Nigerian has died or “been” affected by the “disorder” so far. She stressed that NiDCOM is in touch with the Nigerian High Commission in London, the large diaspora groups, and student groups, and none have reported any casualties to date.

She applauded the UK government for their timely interventions, particularly the arrests made so far.

While reminding Nigerians of the travel advisory issued by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she advised Nigerians in the UK to stay safe and be cautious of their surroundings, particularly at this time.