Since the beginning of August, Britain has been rocked by a series of riots that initially began as a protest against the deaths of three young girls in a horrific knife attack in Southport, northwest England.
The deceased, Alice Dasilva Aguiar9, Elsie Dot Stancombe7 and Bebe King6, were killed in a shooting spree in a Taylor Swift-Themed dance and yoga course at the end of July.
Police arrested a 17-year-old man as the suspected murderer of the victims of the attack, in which ten other people were injured.
However, the trouble began when a rumor arose that the suspect was a black Muslim migrant.
The hoax was parroted by several influential British politicians and social media figures, including the anti-Islam activist. Tommy Robinson.
Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley LennonHe was accused of fuelling the violence after his activism led several thousand far-right locals to run amok across the country.
The protesters gathered near Prime Minister Keir StarmerIn protest, the couple went to the office at 10 Downing Street in central London.
However, the demonstration soon degenerated into riots, after which security forces arrested 100 suspects.
But the riots quickly spread like wildfire, affecting more than 20 cities across the UK, including Sunderland, Plymouth, Belfast and Manchester.
The far-right protesters looted shops, attacked mosques, buildings in asylum seekers’ accommodation, cars and houses and demanded an end to the influx of illegal immigrants into their country.
To stop the violence, Starmer addressed the nation and vowed to arrest and promptly prosecute the rioters and all those involved in the violence.
Nigerians speak out about unrest in Britain
Meanwhile, some Nigerians have said pulse about their experiences during the unrest.
SchoolA Nigerian student who works as a customer assistant in a retail store in Sunderland recalled how he and his wife had to stay indoors for hours while a police helicopter hovered over their home for over five hours.
“Here in Sunderland we saw the Citizens Advice Bureau next to a police station set on fire. The police station was broken into. One of the most popular fast food restaurants, Greg’s, was broken into. A NatWest bank was damaged. Police officers were attacked.
“A police helicopter hovered over my own house for more than five hours. It started around 6 p.m. and it was not until 1 a.m. that the situation returned to normal.he said.
He said the far-right extremists had targeted black Muslim migrants because of false information about the identity of the arrested suspect, even though police had said the suspect was a British black Christian teenager.
He revealed that the house of a friend of his, a Christian from Middlesborough, was attacked by the rioters.
“I have a friend in Middlesborough whose house was stoned and his windows smashed. He is Nigerian and a Christian. In fact, they were protesting against the rising crime rate of Muslim immigrants because they believed that it was a black Muslim immigrant who killed those three little girls. However, the police have stated that it was actually a British black Christian.” he added.
However, the situation is different for Janetanother Nigerian whose house is on the street where the first protest took place.
“I wasn’t there when it happened. I had to leave before it started because it started on my street and I didn’t come back until everything was quiet again.” she said.
Janet said she fled her home before the first protests began after word spread that the protests could turn into chaos.
“It was a planned ‘peaceful’ protest. The information that there would be one was spread everywhere. The meeting point was a park just a stone’s throw from my house.
“Taxi drivers who knew how right-wing extremists could act have already advised people of color to stay at home or avoid the areas as much as possible,” she said.
Janet’s experience is similar to that of mayora resident of Liverpool who was also not in the city when the riots broke out.
“I didn’t experience it personally because I wasn’t in town when it happened. I just came back and now everything is quiet,” he said.
Residents of Manchester, Yemi He said his area had not been affected by the unrest, but noted that all blacks and Muslims were cautious in their movements due to the heightened tensions.
“Nothing has happened to me, but you have to be very careful where you move. It is advisable to go out in groups and avoid certain places because they can be very volatile.
“The riots in Manchester were largely peaceful, but places like Piccadilly should be avoided until the situation has calmed down.” he said.
Britain ensures safety of Nigerians
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom, through its High Commissioner in Nigeria Richard Montgomeryhas assured that Nigerians are safe in the country.
Montgomery made the announcement during a meeting with the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM). Abike Dabiri-Erewalast Wednesday.
“As a country, we will not tolerate discrimination or attacks against any community,” said the envoy.
The Nigerian Foreign Ministry stressed in a statement the need for increased vigilance on the part of citizens planning to travel to the country.
“Citizens are strongly advised to avoid political processions, protests, rallies and large gatherings.
“For personal safety, it is crucial to remain vigilant and avoid crowded areas,” said the ministry spokesman, Eche Abu-Obe.
