“78,000 Bags, Phones Were Snatched in the UK” – Pastor Adegboyega Counters Badenoch

UK-based pastor, Tobi Adegboyega, has responded to comments made by British Conservative Party leader, Kemi Badenoch, regarding Nigeria, by pointing out that societal problems are also prevalent in the United Kingdom.

Speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Pastor Adegboyega, whose church, SPAC Nation, was recently shut down by the British government over allegations of mismanaging £1.87 million, addressed Badenoch’s remarks that criticized the Nigerian police.

Badenoch had shared her negative experiences with Nigerian authorities while praising the British police during an interview with a British journalist. Recalling her time in Nigeria, Badenoch claimed the police had once stolen her brother’s shoe and watch, describing the country as “very poor” and suggesting that giving officers weapons only increased intimidation. She contrasted this with her positive experience with the UK police, including their response to a burglary she experienced in 2004.

However, Pastor Adegboyega countered her perspective, stating, “I completely disagree with that statement. Between 2023 and 2024, about 78,000 bags and phones were snatched in the UK alone.” He further highlighted societal issues in Britain, particularly those affecting minority communities, including crime and the overrepresentation of young black people in prisons and mental health facilities.

Adegboyega emphasized that the struggles of immigrant communities, including Nigerians, have been instrumental in the progress of black individuals in the UK, noting, “There’s a very strong Nigerian black community in this nation. For people like the leader of the opposition to get to that position, they’ve been fighting on the street.”

He referenced tragedies such as youth violence in the UK, stating, “There were funerals where kids were killed. They buried three kids from the same parents.” He added that the voices of the Nigerian community often go unheard despite their significant contributions.

While acknowledging Nigeria’s challenges, Adegboyega urged for a balanced perspective, stating, “Our country has issues, but we are also not as old as the advanced economies like Britain. We cannot say things are all dark because it’s not true.”

He highlighted SPAC Nation’s role in providing opportunities for young people, including sending individuals to prestigious institutions like Harvard, Cambridge, and Imperial College, showcasing a positive side of the Nigerian community in the UK.