By Abiola Olawale
The Federal Government has issued a security alert, advising Nigerian citizens residing in the United Kingdom or planning to travel to the country to be cautious of potential violence.
This was contained in a circular issued by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Eche Abu-Obe.
Abu-Obe, in the statement issued on Monday, said the security alert was necessary following the recent killing of three young girls at a concert in the UK.
The circular reads in part: “There is an increased risk of violence and disorder occasioned by the recent riots in the UK, stemming from the killing of three young girls at a concert. The violence has assumed dangerous proportions, as evidenced by reported attacks on law enforcement agents and damage to infrastructure.
“Demonstrations by far-right and other extra-parliamentary groups in parts of the UK in recent weeks have been large and, in some instances, unruly.
“These disturbances have only been aggravated by the unfortunate deaths of the three girls, spawning an anti-immigration narrative with particular emphasis on targeting Muslim immigrants or persons of colour.”
It would be recalled that on July 29, 2024, a knife attack took place at a children’s yoga and dance workshop, respectively.
Three children were reportedly killed and eight others were injured, with five of them in critical condition. Two adults at the event were also critically injured.
Following the stabbing, anti-Muslim disinformation and rumours sparked Islamophobic protests and riots across the UK, which have been described as the worst rioting in 13 years.
