March 28, (THEWILL) – The China General Chamber of Commerce has clarified that the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) officer killed on February 21, 2025, was hit by a stray bullet fired by police operative trying to effect the arrest of suspects accused of stealing iron rods.
The clarification followed accusations by the Federal Government that the deceased NIS officer was shot on the orders of a Chinese company operating in Nigeria.
Speaking on Thursday, the Nigerian Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, described the incident as an attack on Nigeria.
Reacting to the allegation in a statement, the Director General of the Chinese commerce chamber in Nigeria, Cui Guangzhen, denied the involvement of any Chinese citizen or firm in the incident.
The statement reads: “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 attaches 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.
“Chinese companies in Nigeria abide by the law and are committed to the economic and social development of the country.”
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