The action of a 32-year-old Nigerian man, Ewohime Apkovweta, who reportedly vandalised diplomatic cars at the Nigerian High Commission in London has continued to evoke critical reactions against the commission officials.
WuzupNaija reports that Apkovweta was said to have approached the NHC in London to collect his passport at 2pm but was told that collection of passports closed at 1pm.
Possibly irked by the frustrating experience at the commission, he was said to have left agitated and returned from a nearby hotel to destroy about seven cars, some belonging to the mission, and some to guests who parked nearby.
His actions had attracted criticisms from Nigerians on social media, however, some Nigerians living in the United Kingdom have been sharing their related experiences at the embassy with some claiming the lackadaisical attitude of the officials almost drove them berserk with thoughts of vandalising property at the embassy.
READ ALSO: Man damages cars at Nigerian Embassy in London over failure to receive passport [Video]
Recall that a Nigerian movie producer Ayo Shonaiya in a Twitter thread in reaction to the incident had also described officials at the embassy as very rude and dismissive people who could frustrate anyone to go violent.
Shonaiya had said any Nigerian living in London who have had reason to go to the commission must have had his/her ‘inner madness’ tested by the attitudes of the staff.
Some Nigerians living in the United Kingdom who took to Twitter to share their experiences at the Nigerian High Commission office seem to have nothing positive about the officials.
Majority of those who reacted had agonising experiences to share about their visit to the commission.
Some of the respondents claimed it is very rare to visit the embassy and not leave with disappointment after travelling several kilometers to London expending huge amount of money on hotel bills.
They noted that they prefer to travel down to Nigeria to process their passport renewal than visit the Embassy in London because of the frustrating attitude of the officials.
They, however, called on the Nigerian government to look into the several complaints and overhaul activities at the embassy.
See some of the reactions:
These people made me and my cousin come back 4 times just to get his passport, only for us to find out they hadn’t even processed it. we asked where we can get a visa to Lagos, they sent us to Fleet St and gave us wrong visa information. we had to buy a travel certificate.
— Chris O. Ògúnmọ́dẹdé (@Illustrious_Cee) June 18, 2019
Nigerian HC can be the most infuriating place. Remember dropping my passport off for renewal and was told itll be ready in few days. It took 6 months!
— FranklinU (@FranklinU1) June 18, 2019
Pics,no apologies.They even tried to put the blame on him and told him that he had to pay for the error.I do not condone
what this guy did,but they had it coming.— Michael Onwujuba (@MOnwujuba) June 18, 2019
That is exactly how they act. However, you are given an appointment for that very day. It once happened to me and I had to spend a night in an European Capital city (something I hadn’t budgeted for). I went the next day, smiled sheepishly and swallowed their rude manners. pic.twitter.com/3IuDwTrqlZ
— sharpener (@silaas3005) June 18, 2019
I’m not proud of this but I had to employ manipulative tactics, the last time I was here. A few tears here&there sprinkled with a bogus story&I got my passport printed (even though I had already been turned back at the door). Please bear in mind that I had captured 3 months prior
— colorfulcharade (@colorfulcharad1) June 18, 2019
in my secondary school group last night, two people said they’ll rather fly down to Lagos (from UK & Estonia) to renew their passports by paying runs guys rather than face the trauma at the embassies again.
— Onigbese-ope O’segun (@Segunr70) June 18, 2019
And it’s the nonchalance in their behavior, no respect for what you may have gone through, money spent. My resident permit process was was paused. Because of these people, so many things can go wrong. Just talking about it is giving me flashbacks ???
— Ritso Yipsa (@MsYipsa) June 19, 2019
Lool I had to travel to Nigeria with a TC to come and battle it out in Nigeria instead then, all for sister’s wedding. My friend used to travel there all the way from Cardiff to hear nonsense.
— Ayobami (@dondekojo) June 18, 2019
What I find confusing is how can these guys live in this society and still behave this way?
It is not a place I desire to visit often to be honest – my passport expires in 2022 and I am worried already. I will just go to Abuja this time.— Calvin ‘Emeka Onwuka (@CalvinEmeka) June 18, 2019
When my daughter was born, I opted for the option of paying £300 for visas rather than face High Commission wahala. Lagos passport office is wild but London is Jurassic Park
— Oladayo (@oladayo01) June 18, 2019
Been there twice in the last decade and half. First time, Lamb of God. Second time, Lion of the Tribe of Judah ni o. Same country you’d renew red in peace, but green in pieces. Even the ‘online’ application and payment portal? A joke!
— Rich Opara (@ripplo) June 18, 2019
