The House of Representatives Committee on China-Nigeria Parliamentary Relations has initiated a formal investigation into a viral video in which Nigerian workers in the Central African Republic (CAR) allege abandonment and passport seizure by a Nigerian businessman reportedly linked to a Chinese firm.
In the video, the affected workers claimed they were recruited in Nigeria by a purported Chinese company and transported to CAR, only to be left unpaid and have their passports confiscated.
In a statement signed by the committee chairman, Hon. Jaafaru Yakubu, the lawmakers expressed concern over the reported ordeal and assured the public of a thorough investigation to ascertain the facts.
“The Committee regrets the unfortunate situation the Nigerian workers are being subjected to in CAR and assures that a comprehensive investigation is currently ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to their ordeal,” the statement read.
The committee noted that the businessman at the center of the allegations, Abdulrauf Ademola, has denied all claims of abandonment, unpaid salaries, and passport seizure. It further clarified that Ademola has no affiliation with the Chinese Embassy or the China General Chamber of Commerce.
“His actions or inactions should not be linked to the embassy or Chinese enterprises doing legitimate business in Nigeria,” the committee emphasized.
The committee also reaffirmed the strength of China-Nigeria relations, noting their positive impact on trade, investment, infrastructure, technology, and human capital development.
It called on the media and the public to report issues concerning China-Nigeria relations with fairness and accuracy, reflecting the mutual cooperation between both nations.
