The Federal Government has expressed outrage over the shooting of an Immigration officer by a Chinese businessman in Minna, Niger State, calling the incident "unacceptable" and a direct attack on Nigeria. The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, stated that the government would take up the matter with Chinese authorities, stressing that such an act cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.
Speaking at a stakeholders' sensitization workshop on the implementation of the Nigeria Visa Policy (NVP) 2025 in Abuja, Tunji-Ojo described the shooting as a "slap on the face of Nigeria," particularly because the Immigration officer was simply carrying out his routine duty. According to reports, the officer had visited a Chinese company in Minna to request work permits for the company's expatriate staff when the incident occurred. The Chinese businessman reportedly ordered his security detail to shoot the officer, and they followed through with the order.
“This is unacceptable. We are going to take this matter up with the Chinese government,” Tunji-Ojo stated. “An Immigration officer on routine duty was shot just for asking routine questions regarding work permits. This will not be tolerated here in Nigeria.”
The Minister further emphasized the gravity of the situation by comparing it to a hypothetical scenario in China, asserting, “It will never happen in China for a Nigerian businessman to order the shooting of a Chinese Immigration officer. This will not be tolerated here in Nigeria.”
Tunji-Ojo affirmed that the Nigerian government had the authority to take strong action against the company involved, including revoking its ability to operate in Nigeria. He added, "These officers put their lives on the line every day to serve this country. You will not come from anywhere and ask them to be shot in their own land."
The government is now expected to press the Chinese authorities for accountability regarding this incident, with the intention of sending a clear message that such actions will have serious consequences.
