UK Visa Application Centres in Nigeria Reopened After Violent #EndSARS Protests

The United Kingdom visa application centres in Nigeria have been reopened after the widespread violence that marred the anti-police brutality protests in the country.

The UK High Commission shut down its visa application centres in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, and Lagos, the country’s commercial nerve centre, about a week ago after thugs hijacked the #EndSARS demonstrations and resorted to arson and looting of public and private properties.

The violence was fueled by the controversial mass shooting of unarmed protesters at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos by the Nigerian military on Tuesday night, October 20.

In a statement published on Twitter, titled ‘update on UK visa application centres in Nigeria’, the United Kingdom said it has resumed full operations but noted that Thursday, Oct. 29, would be exempted to observe the public holiday declared by the Federal Government.

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The statement reads in part, “Our TLS contact visa application centres are now open in Nigeria. Following the recent closures, we are working hard to process all outstanding applications.

“We thank you for your continued patience and understanding. Please note Thursday, October 29, is a public holiday in Nigeria and our Visa application centres will be closed.”

Please see below 👇🏼 for an update on UK Visa Application Centres in Victoria Island, Abuja & Lagos. 

➡️ For queries on individual applications, please visit: https://t.co/Z6U3959iB1 pic.twitter.com/kSlk5OBLtC

— UK in Nigeria🇬🇧🇳🇬 (@UKinNigeria) October 26, 2020

Although normalcy has returned to most parts of the country, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the government would need about 1 trillion to rebuild the damaged infrastructures and properties in the state.