The House of Representatives Committee on China-Nigeria Parliamentary Relations has launched an investigation into a viral video showing some stranded Nigerian workers in the Central African Republic (CAR).
This is contained in a statement issued by the Chairman of the Committee, Mr Jaafaru Yakubu, on Wednesday in Abuja.
The workers alleged in the video that they were abandoned by a Nigerian businessman, who is purportedly linked to a Chinese company.
The stranded workers accused the businessman of withholding their passports, failing to pay their wages, and leaving them in difficult conditions in a remote area of CAR.
Yakubu described the situation as deeply regrettable and assured the public that a thorough investigation was underway to uncover the facts surrounding the incident and ensure accountability.
“The committee wishes to inform the general public that Abdulrauf Ademola is not affiliated to the Chinese Embassy or the China General Chamber of Commerce.
“His actions or inactions should not be linked to the Embassy or Chinese enterprises doing their legitimate businesses in Nigeria.
“China-Nigeria relations have flourished over time, yielding significant results across key sectors such as trade, investment, infrastructure, technology, human capital development, and people-to-people partnerships,” the statement said.
It urged the media to always report China-Nigeria relations in a fair, balanced and truthful manner to reflect the solidarity and the existing mutual relationship between the two countries.
The businessman at the center of the allegations, Abdulrauf Ademola, has since denied the claims.
In a public statement, he refuted the accusation of passport seizure, non-payment of salaries, and desertion of the workers.
Freedomonline reports that the Federal Government on Tuesday confirmed the rescue of the stranded workers.
The spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, in a statement, said the workers had been successfully rescued and were currently in the custody of the Embassy of Nigeria in Bangui.
He also lauded the Nigerian Embassy officials and the Government of the Central African Republic for the successful operation
