Conscience Foundation has condemned the arrest and continued detention of five Chinese workers by the Nigeria Immigration Service, describing it as unlawful, intimidating, and damaging to Nigeria’s investment climate. The group urged President Tinubu and relevant authorities to intervene immediately, ensure due process, and restore confidence in Nigeria’s rule of law.
PRESS RELEASE
17th August, 2025
Conscience Foundation Calls for Immediate Release of Five Chinese Workers Unlawfully Detained by the Nigerian Immigration Service
Conscience Foundation strongly condemns the recent arrest and continued detention of five Chinese workers by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) over a petition challenging their visa status. These workers, who have been living and working in Nigeria in full compliance with the country’s immigration laws, are now being subjected to harassment, intimidation, and unlawful detention. The names of the five Chinese workers illegally detained by the NIS are Zhang Damou, Qian Jin, Lin Jianfeng, TangPan and Guo Zhengheng
On the 12th day of August 2025, uniformed men from the Nigerian Immigration Service, alongside mobile policemen and soldiers, all fully armed, stormed the company’s factory along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway at about 8:00 a.m. in about five vehicles. The road leading to the factory was cordoned off and the gate was barricaded by vehicles to prevent entry and exit from the factory.
Two officers of the Nigeria Immigration Services who introduced themselves simply as Ken and Felix, presented a Letter of Introduction dated 11th August 2025 while insisting on seeing the management staff of the company.
During this period the five Chinese workers gave the officers their utmost co-operation by allowing the officers into the premises and permitting them to do their lawful assignment.
The aforementioned officers later demanded to see the documents of the expatriates working in the company, and the same were obliged to them, including all the relevant documents demanded.
The officers then demanded to see the Managing Director of the company, and they were informed that he had travelled to Abuja for a business engagement but was due to return in two days, on the 14th of August 2025. But to their chagrin, the Applicants, the officers told them that they were all under arrest, and they seized their phones and other documents given to them to peruse. They pleaded with the officers to give them ample time to produce all the other documents, which were domiciled in the Managing Director’s office. Still, their plea fell on deaf ears, and the said officers refused to reconsider their plea.
The five Chinese workers were arrested, taken to the Nigerian Immigration office and detained there from the 12th day of August 2025 and transferred to Abuja. Since then, they have been detained at the head office of the Nigerian Immigration Officer at Sauka along Airport road, Abuja, where they are being detained and held in their holding facility.
After the workers gave their statements, the officer in charge then informed the workers what their offence was working in the company with a ‘Temporary Working Permit’ (TWP). The Chinese workers quickly informed the officer in charge that they had a Permanent resident permit and that the other had just arrived in the country a week before their arrest. It must be clear that the Nigerian Immigration Service announced amnesty on the 28th of July for a window for overstayers to regularise their immigration status. But despite this, the Nigerian Immigration Service has continued to threaten to seal their factory and deport them back to their country, even before the conclusion of the investigation and without following the due process of law.
According to reports reaching the Foundation, the Nigeria Immigration Service not only arrested these individuals without due process, but has also laid siege to their company premises, disrupting operations, instilling fear among Nigerian workers, and threatening the livelihood of hundreds of families. Such actions represent an abuse of power, a violation of human rights, and a direct affront to the principles of fairness, justice, and the rule of law.
Conscience Foundation reiterates that Nigeria is a country governed by laws, not by arbitrary actions. The selective targeting of foreign investors and business leaders under the guise of immigration enforcement sends the wrong signal to the international community and undermines Nigeria’s reputation as a hospitable and lawful destination for investment.
We therefore demand the following:
1. The immediate and unconditional release of the five Chinese workers currently in NIS custody.
2. An end to the unlawful siege on their company premises to allow staff and management to resume normal operations without intimidation.
3. A transparent and lawful review process of any petition against the executives, in line with constitutional provisions and international human rights standards.
4. We recommend that the NIS engage in dialogue with relevant stakeholders, including the Chinese Embassy and business communities, to resolve visa issues amicably.
We request that the Nigeria Immigration Service prioritise diplomacy and cooperation over detention, considering the potential economic and diplomatic implications. We believe that a swift resolution to this matter will promote a favourable business environment and strengthen international relations.
By releasing the detained Chinese workers or providing them with due process, the NIS can demonstrate its commitment to fairness and justice while upholding Nigeria’s laws and international reputation.
Conscience Foundation calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Interior, the National Assembly, and all relevant oversight bodies to urgently intervene to prevent further abuse of power by the Nigeria Immigration Service.
We call on the Presidency, the Ministry of Interior, and relevant oversight bodies to urgently intervene and halt this abuse of power. Nigeria has always been a land of opportunity and partnership, and such actions only serve to tarnish the country’s reputation as a hospitable destination for foreign investment.
We remain committed to contributing to Nigeria’s economic growth, creating jobs, and strengthening bilateral business relations between Nigeria and China. We trust that justice, fairness, and the rule of law will prevail.
Nigeria cannot afford to compromise the rule of law. Protecting the rights of all individuals —citizens and expatriates alike — is not only a legal obligation but also a moral duty.
Signed:
Bunmi Oyekanmi
Executive Director
Conscience Foundation
