How Immigration Service Secretly Allowed Five Chinese Nationals Arrested, Deported For Working Without Valid Papers Entry Back Into Nigeria - Source
Five Chinese nationals arrested by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) for working in Nigeria without valid papers are reportedly back in the country.
This is four months after the repatriation of the Chinese nationals by the Nigerian government through the Minister of Interior, Mr. Olubunmi Ojo.
“The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has allowed the free entry of these same nationals into the country without proper documentation,” a source told SaharaReporters.
The five men were initially arrested on August 12, 2025, during a joint sting operation by immigration authorities and the Department of State Services (DSS) at Royal Castle Ceramics Company Limited along the Sagamu Interchange, Ogun State.
They were held at the NIS headquarters in Sauka along Airport Road, Abuja, and released on August 21 following an alleged intervention by a retired senior immigration officer.
The five Chinese nationals include: Zhang Damou (46), Qian Jin (48), Tang Pan (41), Lin Jianfeng (52), and Guo Zhengheng (40).
“The case that should have ended in prosecution, deportation, and hefty fines has instead become a glaring symbol of impunity at NIS,” the source added on Saturday.
“Initially, they were quietly escorted out of the country and allowed to return within 48 hours after repatriation by the Minister. The foreign nationals were allowed entry without facing any charges, penalties, or enforcement.
“These suspects, who were operating covertly inside the same factory premises, were nabbed four months ago during an enforcement swoop. The factory, shrouded in thick vegetation with no visible signage, was allegedly being used as a front to conceal the illegal long-term employment of illegal expatriates.”
“This company lacked the mandatory business permit and expatriate quota approvals required by law. Yet the Chinese workers were deployed on Temporary Work Permits (TWP) and Business Visas; visa categories explicitly barred for sustained employment or factory operations.”
The source further alleged widespread exploitation of Nigerian workers at the facility.
“Unsafe working conditions, wages below the national minimum, and routine violations of labour standards. During the arrest, the expatriates put up violent resistance; an offence that ordinarily attracts swift criminal prosecution and stiff sanctions under the Immigration Act.
“Yet, more than four months later, no court has seen the case, no administrative penalties have been imposed, and no deportation orders issued.
“Most disturbingly, on January 17, 2026, the five Chinese nationals were escorted through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and allowed to board an outbound flight as regular passengers; not as deportees or offenders under sanction.
“Just two days later, on January 19, 2026, they reportedly gained entry to the country through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, again without any record of fines, penalties, or statutory fees paid to the Federal Government.
“The development directly contradicts the aggressive compliance and reform drive championed by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who has repeatedly vowed zero tolerance for immigration racketeering and exploitation of Nigerian workers.
“The Royal Castle Ceramics–Hairun International scandal has triggered serious national concerns, as questions mount over why clear-cut violators were allowed to leave Nigeria without prosecution or deportation, who authorised their escorted airport exit as ordinary passengers, what justified their swift re-entry without sanctions, and why the Federal Government was reportedly deprived of lawful revenue from fines and penalties.
“Until a full, transparent, and independent investigation is launched and those found culpable are held to account; this case will continue to fuel public suspicion of selective enforcement, compromised institutions, and the steady erosion of trust in Nigeria’s immigration system.”
Speaking to SaharaReporters, a top staff member of the Interior Ministry said he wasn’t aware the Chinese nationals are back.
According to him, the Minister recently ordered the immediate repatriation of Chinese nationals found to be operating illegally in the country as a firm step to strengthen immigration compliance and national security.
“Preliminary findings also suggest that some enforcement officials may have compromised procedures by granting undue access and bypassing required vetting processes,” the source added.
“I was told authorities have launched a full investigation, vowing that any personnel found culpable will face sanctions, with the ministry stressing that no one will be shielded from accountability.
“The repatriation order is part of broader efforts to sanitize the immigration framework, strengthen border control mechanisms, and ensure that all foreign nationals comply fully with Nigeria’s legal and regulatory standards.
“The general public is calling on the Minister of Interior, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and anti-corruption agencies to urgently take over the matter and ensure justice is served without fear or favour. The public deserves answers. Anything less is an endorsement of impunity.”
According to insiders, the Minister should demand for the case file to see what the very Senior immigration Officials are hiding and shielding the Chinese from largely because of allegations that ACG Ozigi Idris the current Head of Investigation who is supposed to implement the repatriation order to the fullest is under undue interference of the retired DCG Haliru and Silence of the overall Immigration Boss Kemi Nandap.
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