Nigerians residing in the United Kingdom have voiced their concerns over recent attacks on immigrants, expressing feelings of fear and insecurity.
The unrest began last week following the stabbing death of three young girls in Southport, northwest England.
The police have arrested a 17-year-old male as a suspect in the attack, but rumors quickly circulated that the suspect was an Islamist migrant.
This led to large-scale protests by far-right groups near Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office on Downing Street, Central London.
The protests escalated into riots, with security forces arresting 100 individuals. Riots have spread to over 20 cities across Britain, including Sunderland, Plymouth, and Belfast.
Protesters have targeted mosques, buildings housing asylum seekers, cars, houses, and even set fire to a library.
Shops have also been looted. In response, Starmer has warned that those involved in the riots will be prosecuted within a week.
Despite these assurances, some Nigerians have reported targeted attacks.
Toyyib Adelodun, a Nigerian engineer in London, noted, “London has generally been safe, but the Nigerian community feels threatened in areas with intense rioting, such as Middlesbrough and Plymouth. We have received reports of attacks on Nigerian homes, and some residents were unable to leave their houses for several days.”
Dr. Evelyn Okpanachi, a Nigerian IT professional, attributed the violence to misinformation.
“It’s deeply troubling to see the increase in violence in the UK, especially the unjust targeting of immigrants. Misinformation has exacerbated the unrest in various cities. While law enforcement is working to address the issue, more action is needed to halt this violence,” Okpanachi stated.
Another Nigerian student at Cambridge University, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Black British were not excluded from the attacks.
The source said, “I feel threatened because it is targeted towards immigrants. Even the immigrants who are already citizens are also targeted because they are not whites. I feel threatened because it’s been violent and lives have been lost.”
Also, a senior lecturer in London, Dr Oyedele Ogundana said, “As a Nigerian and a person of colour, it’s natural to feel concerned for one’s safety and that of loved ones. Nonetheless, we remain hopeful that peace will be restored.”
But a realtor, Maxwell Adeyemi, who lives in Bradford, said the unrest did not get to the ward, adding that there was peace in the area.
He said, “The tension has created panic almost everywhere in the UK. However, my area in West Yorkshire, the city of Bradford is calm. I can say it’s the headquarters of immigrants in the UK.”
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, assured that Nigerians in the UK are safe.
Montgomery spoke on Wednesday during a meeting with the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
The envoy said, “We will not, as a country, accept discrimination or attacks against any community.”
