Nigerians living in the United Kingdom have dismissed the possibility of returning to Nigeria in the wake of anti-immigrant riots.
The UK was rocked by protests in early August following the death of three young girls – Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9; Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7; and Bebe King, 6 – who were stabbed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga class in late July in Southport, northwest England.
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A 17-year-old boy suspect was arrested after the incident. However, rumour spread that he was a Muslim immigrant.
The misinformation was reportedly spread by anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.
The news sparked the protests, with thousands of far-right natives gathering near Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office on Downing Street, Central London, to protest.
The peaceful march soon snowballed into a violent protest, with mosques, buildings housing asylum seekers, cars and houses set ablaze.
Many videos shared on social media showed the protesters looting shops and even attacking homes suspected to belong to immigrants across the country. In one of them, a masked man was seen ramming his Sports Utility Vehicle into a building to force entry.
However, Nigerians have insisted they will remain in the country in the face of protests against immigrants.
Olufunmilayo Abdullahi, an IT professional who lives in Bristol, told Japajantis that he would remain in the country and will not return to Nigeria even if the riot got worse. He added that he would even encourage Nigerians back home not to suspend their plans to relocate to the UK. He added that he and his family had been watchful and trust the security agencies to bring the situation under control.
“The riot has not affected my income in any way as it has not escalated beyond the law enforcement agencies’ control. Of course I won’t go back to Nigeria if given the opportunity and I will encourage people to come to the UK but they must plan properly,” she said.
Chudi Okoronkwo, a retail worker in Sheffield, also said he would not return home, saying his area has been safe. He added that the riots had not affected his income in any way, further strengthening his position to remain in the country.
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“My area has been very safe so no cause for alarm. My income has also not been affected so there’s no need thinking of fleeing. I don’t think Nigerians should abandon their japa plans over this riot,” he told our correspondent.
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, had assured that Nigerians in the UK are safe.
Montgomery spoke last Wednesday during a meeting with the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
However, Romoke Ogunsile, a widow who lives in Luton with her kids, said she would return to Nigeria if she had enough investment to sustain herself and her kids.
Although she said they have been safe, she lamented the effect of the riot on her shifts at work thereby reducing her income. She said she would only consider visiting the UK for vacation.
“The riot has prevented us from going for our shift thereby reducing our income. If I have enough investment and money to care for myself and family, I won’t mind returning to Nigeria and visiting the UK regularly on vacation,” she said.
