Japa syndrome: 430,000 Nigerians get UK visas in seven months
By Anwar Usman
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery, has revealed that the United Kingdom government has so far given not less than 430,000 visas to Nigerians seeking to study and relocate to the European nation in 2024.
Montgomery disclosed this in a meeting with the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in Abuja on Wednesday.
He also assured the Federal Government that they would provide adequate security measures in place for Nigerians in the UK.
He noted that the UK remains a safe place despite the ongoing unrest, which highlighted the country’s diverse population.
He further added that 60 special courts have been set up to “tackle criminal activities related to the unrest”.
Also speaking on security, Montgomery further stated that 400 people have been apprehended in connection with the violence, with the government actively pursuing justice against those inciting unrest through hatred and misinformation online.
On her part, Dabiri-Erewa confirmed that no Nigerian casualties have been reported so far in the UK uproar.
She said NIDCOM “is in touch with the Nigerian High Commission in London and other diaspora groups, none of which have reported any incidents involving Nigerian nationals”.
She praises the UK government for its swift actions, especially the arrests, advising Nigerians to remain safe and vigilant and adhere strictly to the travel advisories issued by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.