The United Kingdom government has issued over 430,000 visas to Nigerians seeking to study and relocate to the country in the first seven months of 2024.
British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, revealed the information during a meeting with the chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in Abuja.
LEADERSHIP recalls that Montgomery had assured the Nigerian Government on Wednesday that adequate security measures were in place for its citizens amid deadly riots in the UK.
The High Commissioner emphasised that the UK remains a haven despite the ongoing unrest, highlighting the country’s diverse population, adding that 60 special courts have been set up to tackle criminal activities related to the unrest.
Montgomery also reported that approximately 400 individuals have been arrested in connection with the violence, with the government actively pursuing justice against those inciting unrest through hatred and disinformation online.
Reacting, NiDCOM chairperson Dabiri-Erewa confirmed that no Nigerian casualty has been reported so far.
According to her, NiDCOM was in touch with the Nigerian High Commission in London and other diaspora groups, none of which have reported any incident involving Nigerian nationals.
Dabiri-Erewa lauded the UK government for its prompt actions, particularly the arrests of perpetrators, and urged Nigerians to stay safe, and vigilant, and follow the travel advisories issued by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
