The China General Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria has refuted claims that a Chinese company was responsible for the shooting of an immigration officer in Minna, Niger State.
The chamber, citing a police report, clarified that the shooting, which occurred on February 21, 2025, was the result of a police operation gone wrong.
In a statement on Thursday night by its Director General, Dr. Cui Guangzhen, the chamber expressed concern over the allegations made by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who had condemned the shooting and linked it to a Chinese company.
It said, “Our attention has been drawn to the reports that Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, condemned the shooting of an immigration officer allegedly on the orders of a Chinese company operating in Nigeria in a briefing on March 27.
“The China General Chamber of Commerce attached great importance to the reports and carried out an immediate investigation. Based upon the findings of police authority in Niger State, the incident mentioned by the Minister of Interior happened on the 21st of February, 2025 in Minna, Niger State.
“During a police action, the state police force was trying to effect an arrest of some local citizen who was suspected of stealing iron rods from a Chinese company When encountering stiff resistance of the suspect, one of the police officers fired a shot and the bullet accidentally hit a passerby who was later identified to be an immigration officer.”
The chamber stressed that “neither Chinese citizens nor Chinese companies were involved in the incident” and reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s laws and development.
“Neither Chinese citizens nor Chinese companies were involved in the incident. The allegation that a Chinese company employee ordered the shooting of a Nigerian immigration officer is utterly false.
“ The Chinese companies in Nigeria abide by the laws and regulations of Nigeria and are committed to the economic and social development of Nigeria.
“ The China General Chamber of Commerce is saddened by the incident and sincerely wishes the injured a quick recovery.”
A police report sighted by our correspondent and signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu, of the Criminal Investigation Department, Niger State, detailed the circumstances of the shooting.
It stated that officers from the Surveillance Unit of the ‘A’ Division Police Station, Minna, were responding to a report of suspected theft at a Chinese construction company when they attempted to arrest labourers accused of stealing iron rods.
However, they encountered resistance, and in the ensuing struggle, one of the officers fired a shot that accidentally struck a passerby—later identified as an immigration officer.
It partly read, “Surveillance Unit attached to ‘A’ Divisional Police Station Minna were detailed to Government Day Secondary School along Bosso road Minna to prevent students from blocking the express road, that while returning back to office after the assignment, they received information from one ‘m’ a Constabulary attached to ‘A’ Division Minna that some unidentified labourers attached to Chinese Construction company were suspected to have stolen some iron rods value yet unknown from the said company.
“That without informing the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) or any superior officer, the said ASP and team proceeded to Limawa area with intention of arresting the said labourers but they met a stiff resistance from unidentified person(s) which eventually led to serious struggle and during which fired a shot and the bullet went and hit a passerby, a Nigeria Immigration Service, Niger Command’s official.”
The report also revealed that three police officers involved in the incident had been arrested and placed under investigation.
Also, contrary to the claim of the minister that the officer was on a legitimate duty, the victim’s statement as contained in the police report stated that she was just passing by when the bullet hit her.
The report stated, “ (VICTIM):-She is Yoruba by tribe, an immigration officer, attached to Niger State Immigration Command. She stated that on 21/02/2025 at about 1230 hrs, while on an okada motorcycle to the Barkin Sale area, Minna, precisely at Limawa area, Minna, she saw a group of persons gathered by the road.
“She heard a gunshot, but only to notice that something hit her on her right leg buttock.
“She finally stated that it was later she discovered it was a stray bullet which hit her and she was rushed to IBB Specialist Hospital Minna where she is currently receiving treatment.”
It further criticised the officers’ actions as unprofessional, stating that their conduct was “condemnable” and “an embarrassment to the Force.”
The report recommended disciplinary action, including an orderly room trial for the officers and sanctions for their superior, the Divisional Police Officer, for failing to supervise the operation properly.(Punch)
