Nigeria, Kenya, other countries warn citizens against UK travel
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UK's escalating violence led many countries around the world to warn citizens against travel there.
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Police officers face protesters outside in Liverpool on August 3, 2024. (AFP)
Nigeria and several other countries have issued warnings to their citizens about traveling to or in the United Kingdom after a weekend of violent nationwide riots with far-right demonstrators attacking hotels housing asylum seekers.
The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a travel alert to its citizens on Monday, warning those who are planning a visit to the UK that “demonstrations by far-right and other extra-parliamentary groups in parts of the UK in recent weeks have been large and in some instances unruly," emphasizing that “there is an increased risk of violence and disorder.”
The ministry further advised Nigerians to be "extra vigilant" and "self-aware at all times," instructing them to avoid packed areas, large gatherings, and political protests and rallies.
Kenya's Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’Oei also expressed his concern about the UK's violent state on Sunday by writing on X, “A deeply worrying situation in the UK. Kenyans are urged to exercise caution.”
A deeply worrying situation in the UK. Kenyans are urged to exercise caution. https://t.co/1lmVVWLU07
— Korir Sing'Oei (@SingoeiAKorir) August 4, 2024
Malaysia was the first country to express its concern about the UK's deteriorating situation, with its Ministry of Foreign Affairs issuing “an urgent notice to Malaysians in the United Kingdom” on X on Sunday, adding that it was closely surveilling the situation while urging its citizens to “stay away from protest areas” and “remain vigilant.”
PRESS RELEASE: URGENT - NOTICE TO MALAYSIANS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM pic.twitter.com/DnuI7GczsD
— Wisma Putra (@MalaysiaMFA) August 4, 2024
The Indonesian Embassy in London appealed later on Sunday to its citizens in the UK, urging them to increase vigilance, particularly when traveling or engaging in activities outside their homes while recommending they “avoid large crowds and places that have the potential to become gathering places for masses or groups of demonstrators.”
'Aura for aura'
“Nigeria and Kenya are warning their citizens in the UK after riots in the former colonial power,” Nairobi-based CNN correspondent Larry Madowo said, highlighting that “People are calling this ‘aura for aura’ because the UK and other Western nations often issue travel advisories targeting African countries.”
Over the past weekend, violent demonstrators have ignited in multiple cities across Nigeria in protests of hunger and "bad governance." Meanwhile, Kenya is also holding nationwide protests against proposed tax increases.
Southport knife attack and online disinformation ignited riots
The past week's riots were sparked by last Monday's Southport knife attack with 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, who claimed the lives of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, accused of being a Muslim migrant through the spread of misinformation on social media.
The misinformation about the alleged identity of the Southport attacker was spread on social media by the English Defence League (EDL) and another far-right group called Britain First. In addition, the key factor enabling disinformation is the reinstatement of far-right activist and founder of the EDL Tommy Robinson on X, following his six-year ban from the online platform.
An example of danger imposed by the spread of disinformation on social media is the fabricated story of a stabbing incident in Stoke-on-Trent, which police were forced to deny.
“There is growing speculation that a stabbing has taken place as a result of the disorder today. We can confirm this information is false and no stabbings have been reported to police or emergency responders, despite videos fuelling speculation on social media,” police said.
Sunderland Central Labour MP Lewis Atkinson believed a potential link could be connected between the nation's violent civil disorder and the EDL, adding evidence suggests the involvement of a Nazi offshoot group in a violent demonstration in Sunderland city center.
500 demonstrators, including parents with their children, gathered in the city center to protest against the detrimental social media posts fabricated by far-right groups. The protest violently escalated with masked boys and men throwing missiles, bricks, stones, beer barrels, and scaffolding poles at the police.
