The China General Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria has denied allegations that a security officer attached to a Chinese firm was responsible for the shooting of a Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, officer in Niger State.
Instead, the chamber claimed the incident was caused by the Nigeria police.
The controversy arose after Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, condemned the alleged attack, calling it “an attack on Nigeria.”;
He vowed tough actions against the Chinese company reportedly linked to the incident.
However, in a statement issued on Friday, Cui Guangzhen, Director General of the China General Chamber of Commerce, refuted the claims.
“Based upon the findings of the police in Niger State, the incident mentioned by the Minister of Interior happened on the 21st of February, 2025, in Minna, Niger State,”; Guangzhen stated.
According to the chamber’s investigation, the shooting occurred during a police operation to arrest a local suspect accused of stealing iron rods from a Chinese company.
“When encountering stiff resistance, one of the police officers fired a shot, and the bullet accidentally hit a passerby, who was later identified as an immigration officer,”; Guangzhen explained.
He emphasized that Chinese companies operating in Nigeria “abide by the law and are committed to the economic and social development of the country.”;
The controversy has sparked tensions, with the Nigerian government insisting on accountability, while the Chinese chamber urges authorities to rely on official police findings.
