In light of recent disturbances across several UK cities, Dr. Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, has assured the Nigerian Diaspora in the UK of their safety. He conveyed this reassurance to Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), during a meeting in Abuja.
The unrest, triggered by the fatal stabbing of three young schoolgirls, was exacerbated by false claims that the suspect was an immigrant and radical Islamist. This misinformation led to protests being overtaken by anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim factions.
NiDCOM’s statement on Wednesday noted that the disturbances impacted 12 British towns. Montgomery revealed that over 400 people have been arrested in connection with the unrest and that 60 special courts, staffed by UK police and legal personnel, have been set up to handle the situation.
Montgomery emphasized that the UK is a diverse nation and will continue to be open to qualified individuals wishing to live, study, and work there.