Nigerian Government Urged to Investigate Immigration Service Over Return of Deported Chinese Workers
- 16 hours ago
- 2 min read
Several operatives of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) have urged the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to probe the circumstances surrounding the return of five Chinese nationals previously deported for working illegally in Nigeria. The workers were initially arrested at a ceramics factory in Ogun State for lacking valid work permits and visas.
The five Chinese men, Zhang Damou, Qian Jin, Tang Pan, Lin Jianfeng, and Guo Zhengheng, were detained by NIS at its Abuja headquarters in August 2025 following a joint operation with the Department of State Services (DSS). They were released a week later, reportedly after intervention by a retired senior immigration officer.
Sources within the NIS claim the nationals were allowed to re-enter the country without proper documentation or penalties. Their swift return has raised questions about enforcement protocols and potential internal interference within the immigration service.
The factory where the men were employed reportedly lacked the mandatory business permits and expatriate quotas required by Nigerian law. The use of Temporary Work Permits and Business Visas for long-term employment directly contravened immigration regulations, according to enforcement officials.
Some immigration personnel involved in the initial arrests expressed concern that the re-entry of these nationals undermines the ongoing compliance and reform drive championed by the Minister. They argue that repeated violations without consequence erode the credibility of Nigeria’s immigration enforcement system.
Officials have called for a full investigation into the actions of senior NIS personnel, including any external pressures or procedural lapses that allowed the rapid re-entry. They stress that transparency is critical to restoring public trust and ensuring the rule of law applies uniformly to all foreign nationals.
Observers say the case highlights systemic weaknesses in Nigeria’s immigration framework. Experts warn that failure to address these irregularities could discourage local workforce participation, weaken regulatory compliance, and cast doubt on the government’s commitment to immigration reform.
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