NIGERIA/FILE: Most of the Chinese nationals arrested earlier this week on suspicion of being in the country illegally have been released

Record ID: 235681

  • Title: NIGERIA/FILE: Most of the Chinese nationals arrested earlier this week on suspicion of being in the country illegally have been released
  • Date: 26th May 2012
  • Summary: LAGOS, NIGERIA (FILE) (REUTERS) CHINESE COMPANY EXPERT AND NIGERIAN WORKER WORKING ON LIGHT RAIL IN SYSTEM IN LAGOS VARIOUS OF WORKERS MIXING CONCRETE FOR THE LIGHT RAIL PROJECT CHINESE SUPERVISOR INSPECTING WELDING WORK VARIOUS OF COLUMNS TO SUPPORT THE LIGHT RAIL TRAIN TRACKS
  • Embargoed: 10th June 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Nigeria
  • Country: Nigeria
  • Topics: Crime,International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVAV7DKJKRVFR7CNMBVBPV6EVM6
  • Story Text: Eighty out of the 100 Chinese nationals arrested on suspicion of being in Nigeria illegally were released by Nigerian Immigration Services on Friday (May 25).
    The people were initially arrested during a clampdown in the cities of Kano and Lagos on Wednesday (May 23).
    Assistant Comptroller-General of Immigration Anthony Oklobia, said the raids were prompted by a recent influx of Chinese nationals into the country, many of whom appeared not to have valid documents.
    "Surveillance reports over the past months have indicated influx of Chinese nationals into Lagos, as businessmen and investors they are welcome. But a situation where they come into the country as petty traders or take up employment without appropriate visas can no longer be tolerated," he said.
    Oklobia added that those found without proper documents would be sent back to China.
    "Those of them found not to have the necessary papers will be eased out of the country, while those found with correct papers will be freed to go about their legitimate business," he said.
    The men and women arrested were working as textile traders in markets in Kano and Lagos.
    Nigerian law forbids foreigners from certain trades meant to be reserved for locals, including selling clothes.
    China's textile trade with Africa is an emotive issue in Nigeria. Many Nigerians blame cheap Chinese imports for the collapse of the local textile industry in the past decade although in reality the chronic power outages are at least as much to blame.
    However, China is a big investor in Nigeria, making up some 25 percent of Nigeria's direct foreign investment. It is also a buyer of Nigeria's high quality crude oil.
    Chinese imports also make up such a large potion of trade flows that the central bank put 10 percent of its reserves into Chinese yuan last year.
  • Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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