Five Chinese nationals previously arrested for immigration violations have reportedly re entered Nigeria months after their removal, raising fresh concerns about enforcement within the country’s immigration system.
The men were initially apprehended in August 2025 during a joint operation by the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Department of State Services at a ceramics facility near the Sagamu Interchange in Ogun State. Authorities alleged they were working without the required permits and approvals.
Following their arrest, the Federal Government ordered their repatriation as part of a broader compliance drive led by Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji Ojo. The move was presented as a warning to companies employing foreign nationals outside approved expatriate quotas.
However, sources claim the same individuals later travelled out of Nigeria through Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja and returned days later via Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos without facing prosecution, fines, or formal deportation procedures.
The development has sparked questions about whether due process was followed and if enforcement actions were compromised. Allegations surrounding the case include improper documentation, use of short term visas for long term employment, and possible labour standard violations at the factory where they worked.
Officials within the Interior Ministry say an investigation is underway to determine whether any procedures were bypassed and to ensure accountability if misconduct is established. Authorities maintain that Nigeria’s immigration reforms are intended to strengthen border control, protect local workers, and ensure all foreign nationals comply with legal requirements.
The matter remains under review as calls grow for transparency over how the case was handled and whether further legal action will be taken.
