By Jane Okafor, Abuja
ABUJA The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has vowed that the Federal Government(FG)would take tough action against a Chinese firm operating in Nigeria for allegedly ordering its security attache to shoot an immigration officer.
Ojo who condemned the incident, which occurred in Niger State recently, described it as an “attack on Nigeria.”
He vowed to escalate the matter to the highest diplomatic level, particularly with the Chinese authorities.
The Minister spoke on Thursday in Abuja during a stakeholders’ sensitisation workshop on the implementation of the Nigeria Visa Policy 2025.
He said that there was nowhere in the world such an action would be condoned.
Tunji-Ojo explained that the officer was simply carrying out his lawful duties when the shooting occurred, warning that the FG has the authority to revoke business licenses and declare as illegal, companies operating with impunity.
He said, “I will not go to any country, open a company, and say the immigration service cannot come out. I will not do that.
“I don’t want to mention the company here, but they shot one of our immigration officers. They told their security attaché to shoot our officer, and he did— a foreign company?
“That happened a couple of weeks ago in Niger, and we are going to take it up with the Chinese embassy because it’s a Chinese company.
“I won’t go to China as a Nigerian, enter a company, and tell my security to shoot a government official in uniform. It’s never done anywhere in the world. That alone is an attack on Nigeria.
“For a father to leave his children to fulfil his legitimate responsibility, go to a company, and say, ‘I need to see your expatriates, let’s see your list,’ just to ask questions— and the next thing, you lock the gate and shoot him?
asked.
“That is a diplomatic issue, and we will handle it. It will not happen again. So we are going to be very firm. We will not disturb your business or overburden your operations.
“But don’t make us inferior in our land. We are going to be very tough on this. I’m not just speaking with passion; I’m speaking with anger.
“No company is above the law. We will not tolerate it. No agent, no company is above the law.
“We are doing our best to make things easier and to collaborate with businesses. But please, we beg you, do not insult us. We will not disrespect you. As long as the president remains in office, nobody will disrespect you in Nigeria. All we ask for is mutual respect,” he stated.
He also unveiled the introduction of an Expatriate Administration System from May 1 to monitor foreign workers in the country.
“We will not allow the abuse of our immigration protocols. We will not accept that. By May 1, for expatriates and foreign workers in Nigeria, there will be a new Expatriate Administration System.
“We want to know where you are, what you are doing, and we want to be accountable for everyone in Nigeria. There will be a three-month window— from May 1 to August 1— for the regularisation of immigration status in line with our laws.
“After that, we will move into enforcement, prosecution, and deportation. Anyone who does not comply has ulterior motives for being in Nigeria.
“We welcome foreigners, but only if they are ready to obey the laws of Nigeria.
“When I visit the U.S., the U.K., or China, I obey their laws. Nigeria is not inferior. If you come to Nigeria, obey its laws. It’s not too much to ask,” he said.
