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Reps probe Nigerian miners’ abuse claim in CAR

Published

1 month ago

July 31, 2025

The House of Representatives Committee on China-Nigeria Parliamentary Relations has launched an investigation into a viral video showing some Nigerian workers in the Central African Republic, alleging abandonment and ill treatment.

In the video, which surfaced last Thursday, the miners claimed they were recruited by a Chinese mining company but were later abandoned, had their passports confiscated, and were subjected to inhumane treatment.

The workers appealed to Nigerians to amplify their message and draw attention to their situation.

They said they were stranded in Senye, a village in the Bambari region of CAR.

Reacting, the Chairman of the committee, Jaafaru Yakubu, in a statement on Wednesday, expressed concern over the situation.

“The committee regrets the unfortunate situation the Nigerian workers are being subjected to in CAR and assures that a comprehensive investigation is currently ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to their ordeal,” Yakubu noted.

The statement also addressed the role of Abdulrauf Ademola, the businessman accused in the video.

According to the committee, Ademola had denied all allegations of passport seizure, non-payment of wages, and abandonment.

The committee urged the public not to associate Ademola’s alleged actions with legitimate Chinese businesses operating in Nigeria.

“It is also important to state that Abdulrauf Ademola, the businessman who allegedly abandoned the Nigerians in CAR, had issued a statement refuting the allegations made by the workers who accused him of passport seizure, unpaid salaries, and abandonment in the widely circulated video.

“The committee wishes to inform the general public that Abdulrauf Ademola is not affiliated with the Chinese Embassy or the China General Chamber of Commerce, and his actions or inactions should not be linked to the embassy or Chinese enterprises doing their legitimate businesses in Nigeria,” it said.

Yakubu also used the opportunity to reaffirm the strength of China-Nigeria ties, while appealing to the media and public to ensure accurate and balanced reporting.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government, on Tuesday, confirmed the rescue of the stranded workers.

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, in a statement, said, “Stranded Nigerian workers in the Central African Republic have been successfully rescued and are currently in the custody of the Embassy of Nigeria in Bangui.

“A very big commendation to the staff of the Embassy and the Government of the Central African Republic for the successful operation.”

Also, a statement by the Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols Unit at the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said, “The stranded Nigerians in the Central African Republic have finally arrived at the Nigerian Embassy in Bangui.

“It will be recalled that through a viral video, some Nigerian miners called for help, and there was immediate intervention and swift response of officials of the Nigerian Embassy and CAR security who accompanied them from their location to the capital,” the statement said.

It added that the miners were under the care of embassy officials, who were making arrangements for their return to Nigeria.

“They are now in the safe hands of officials of the Nigerian Embassy, who will arrange their return home.

“They expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and staff of both countries, the Nigerian Embassy, the CAR security agencies and Nigerians who shared their stories,” the statement added.

It stated that the Nigerian agent accused of luring them into the job and abandoning them had been identified and is currently in Nigeria.

“The agent who lured them into the job scam is currently based in Nigeria and has been identified and is expected to be prosecuted,” the statement concluded.

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Nigeria condemns Israeli airstrike in Qatar targeting Hamas leadership

Published

5 hours ago

September 11, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed strong concern over reports that an Israeli airstrike in Doha, Qatar, targeted senior members of Hamas leadership earlier this week.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the government emphasized the need to respect national sovereignty and uphold international law, warning that the attack could further destabilize the Middle East.

“This incident raises profound questions about regional stability and the future of diplomatic efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” the statement read.
Nigerian fashion

Nigeria commended Qatar’s long-standing role as a mediator in peace negotiations and urged all parties to avoid escalation.

“We call for maximum restraint and a renewed commitment to peaceful dialogue. Violence only deepens mistrust and prolongs suffering,” the government said.

It also extended condolences to victims of the attack and reaffirmed its commitment to international efforts aimed at de-escalation and lasting peace. Abuja pledged to continue working with the United Nations and other multilateral institutions to advance stability and uphold the rule of law in the region.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has remained tense since October 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise assault on southern Israel, killing more than 1,200 people and seizing over 200 hostages. Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has since caused widespread destruction and fueled a humanitarian crisis.
Nigerian fashion

According to Gaza’s health ministry, more than 62,000 people have been killed in nearly two years of fighting. Qatar has played a central role in mediation, hosting Hamas’s political leadership in Doha and serving as a key channel for negotiations.

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News

Qatar denies visa restrictions on Nigerians

Published

21 hours ago

September 10, 2025

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Qatari Ministry of Interior has dismissed reports claiming that it imposed new visa restrictions on Nigerian passport holders.

A ministry official told the BBC Pidgin on Wednesday that there are no restrictions on Nigerians seeking to visit Qatar.

Social media reports had alleged that Qatari authorities introduced a travel ban preventing male applicants from entering the country unless they were travelling with their families.

The reports also claimed that only women or families could apply for visas, with additional requirements of a five-star hotel booking and a return flight ticket before applying for a travel or transit visa.

According to the viral reports, the notification cited frequent cases of overstays by Nigerian travellers as the reason.

However, according to the BBC, Hayya, Qatar’s digital platform for e-visa services, clarified that the visa application process remains unchanged.

“There has been no suspension or changes to the current procedures. If any updates are to be made, they will be announced on our official platforms,” it stated.

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News

FRSC, Army collaborate on intelligence sharing, others

Published

22 hours ago

September 10, 2025

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Federal Road Safety Corps says it will collaborate with the Nigerian Army on intelligence sharing and organisation of periodic workshops for security agencies.

The Zonal Commanding Officer in charge of Lagos and Ogun states, Mrs Ann Oladayo, an Assistant Corps Marshal, said this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Lagos.

Oladayo listed other areas for collaboration to include security cover for special operations, training and retraining of drivers and vehicles safety.

She said this when she led other senior officers of the corps to the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Farouk Mijinyawa.

According to her, the visit is in a bid to promote the FRSC 2025 Strategic goal two as a lead agency in traffic management and administration in the country.

”The corps would like to bring our professionalism to help in training your new Army recruits in driving. We will also want to engage some of your retiring officers, who intend taking driving as a profession.”

Responding, the GOC said that though, the responsibilities of the Nigerian Army was enormous, it has been able to stabilise security in both states.

Mijinyawa said that the Army was currently collaborating with other security agencies like FRSC, the Police, Customs and others to ensure safety and security of lives.

He pledged the Army’s continuous support and collaboration with the FRSC to ensure safety and security.

In a related development, the FRSC ZCO also visited the Zonal Coordinator, Nigerian Correctional Service; Zone A, Lagos, ACG Ope Fatinikun, where inter-agencies collaboration and synergy were also discussed.

During the interactive session, questions bothering on stigmatisation of ex-convicts, drivers’ license acquisition, and management of road traffic offenders charged to correctional facilities were addressed.

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