The Nigerian government has issued a warning to its citizens about the dangers of travelling to the United Kingdom (UK) at this time. This follows the recent killing of three young girls at a concert. In a statement issued yesterday by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, Nigerians planning trips to the UK were advised to be cautious due to an upsurge in violence.

Abu-Obe noted that violence in the UK has reached “dangerous proportions,” citing attacks on law enforcement officers and damage to infrastructure. He advised citizens to be extra vigilant and take precautionary measures such as avoiding political processions, protests, rallies, marches, crowded areas, and large gatherings, while remaining self-aware at all times.

Reports indicate that recent demonstrations by far-right and other extra-parliamentary groups in parts of the UK have been large and, in some instances, unruly. These disturbances have been exacerbated by the deaths of the three girls, fuelling an anti-immigration narrative, particularly targeting Muslim immigrants and people of colour.

The security situation has been delicate, with a large crowd of anti-Muslim protesters clashing with police last Tuesday in a northern English town. This followed a stabbing incident at a Taylor Swift-themed event in Southport, a quiet seaside town north of Liverpool, which resulted in the deaths of three girls and left five other children critically wounded.

Though police have not linked the incident to terrorism, revealing that the suspect was born in the UK, the horrific attack has shocked the world and instilled fear among UK residents.