The federal government released a travel alert on Monday, advising its citizens planning to travel to the United Kingdom to exercise caution.
This advisory comes in response to a surge in violence and disorder following recent riots in various parts of the UK.
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In a statement signed by Amb. Eche Abu-Obe, spokesperson to the Minister of Interior, the government highlighted the escalating risk. “There is an increased risk of violence and disorder occasioned by the recent riots in the UK,” the statement noted.
The advisory urged Nigerian citizens traveling to the UK to remain “extra vigilant and take measures” to ensure their safety. It specifically recommended avoiding political processions, protests, rallies, marches, crowded areas, and large gatherings.
The travel alert follows a weekend of significant unrest in the UK, where rioters broke into hotels sheltering asylum seekers on Sunday. This wave of violence, described by many as the worst in recent times, was sparked by the stabbing of three young girls in Southport, northwest England, earlier in the week.
CNN reported that the rioters set fire to two Holiday Inns in northern England. One of the targeted buildings was in Tamworth, previously criticized by a local politician for housing asylum seekers, while the other was in Rotherham.
