Blessing Oyindamola, a Nigerian customer service advisor residing in Manchester, is preparing for her child’s first birthday, but her plans have been disrupted by the ongoing riots in the UK.
Manchester, one of the cities initially hit by the unrest, has made her wary of the risks associated with venturing out.
“We feel targeted but have avoided any direct encounters with violence by staying indoors,” she told PREMIUM TIMES.
The riots erupted following a tragic knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed event in Southport last Monday, where three young girls were killed. Misinformation, far-right extremism, and anti-immigrant sentiments are reportedly fueling the violence.
In Bournemouth, Yemi Olawepo, an Administrative Assistant and Data Processor, initially felt safe as his city remained calm.
However, within a day of speaking with this reporter, the riots reached Bournemouth. Olawepo now fears for his family’s safety, particularly with his children about to return to school. “The protests have now come to our city, and people are anxious about the future,” he said.
Similarly, Mamuzo Adums in London has not witnessed any riots in his area but is deeply troubled by the unfolding events.
“It’s disheartening to see this level of unrest,” he remarked. Adums urged Nigerians in the UK to counteract the false narratives spread by racist and far-right extremists, emphasizing that immigrants should not be made to feel unsafe or unjustly targeted.
While Oyindamola expresses sympathy for the victims of the attack, she believes the violence is being exploited to advance pre-existing grievances against immigrants.
Despite the turmoil, she finds solace in the support from her British friends and remains committed to being a respectful member of society.
In response to the escalating violence, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has vowed that perpetrators will face legal consequences. “I utterly condemn the far-right violence we have witnessed. Those involved will be held accountable,” Starmer stated on Sunday.
Following the riots, three men involved in the unrest in Southport and Liverpool have been sentenced to prison. Anti-racist protesters have also taken to the streets, promoting messages of inclusivity with signs such as “refugees welcome” and “stop the far right.”
The Nigerian government has issued a security advisory for its citizens traveling to the UK, urging vigilance and avoidance of political demonstrations. On Tuesday, NIDCOM’s head met with British High Commissioner Richard Montgomery to discuss the safety of Nigerians in the UK. While Montgomery assured that efforts are being made to ensure their security, many Nigerians, including Oyindamola, continue to feel uneasy.
